bamboo

noun

bam·​boo (ˌ)bam-ˈbü  ˈbam-ˌbü 

plural bamboos

often attributive

: any of various woody or arborescent grasses (as of the genera Bambusa, Arundinaria, and Dendrocalamus of the subfamily Bambusoideae) of tropical and temperate regions having hollow stems, thick rhizomes, and shoots that are used for food

also : the jointed stem of bamboo used especially for building, furniture, and utensils

Illustration of bamboo

Examples of bamboo in a Sentence

Bamboo grows in the grove near the house.

We cut down some bamboos.

Recent Examples on the Web

Researchers also streamlined the process from selecting raw bamboo to manufacturing the drone’s outer skin. —Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 5 Mar. 2026

Stick to wood, silicone, bamboo, or rounded metal utensils to keep your cast iron in top condition. —Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 5 Mar. 2026

In addition to containing marine collagen sourced from fish, this powder features vitamin C from acerola cherry and silicon from bamboo, the latter of which helps provide strength and structure to hair, skin, and nails. —Emily Orofino, Vogue, 4 Mar. 2026

For beachside strolls or a round of tiki drinks, layer on a lightweight bamboo cotton coverup and slip into these easy flat sandals to pull the whole look together. —Alexandra Emanuelli, Southern Living, 4 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Malay bambu

First Known Use

1586, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing bamboo

• bamboo curtain
• bamboo shoots

Rhymes for bamboo

• accrue
• ado
• ainu
• aircrew
• airscrew
• anew
• askew
• baboo
• babu
• beaucoup
• bijou
• breakthrough

Kids Definition

bamboo

noun

bam·​boo bam-ˈbü 

plural bamboos

: any of various chiefly tropical tall woody grasses including some with strong hollow stems used for building, furniture, or utensils

also : the strong woody stem of bamboo

bamboo adjective