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

Fires had recently gutted parts of the camps; months later, monsoon downpours would trigger deadly landslides around its tarpaulin-and-bamboo shelters. — Lorcan Lovett, NPR, 25 Aug. 2026

Wooden spatulas are helpful for nonstick pans, especially durable and renewable bamboo spatulas. — Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 24 Aug. 2026

Inside the home are ebonized bamboo floors, high ceilings, a marble floor-to-ceiling fireplace, and a chef’s kitchen with Brazilian granite counters. — The Week Us, TheWeek, 23 Aug. 2026

Lightly sand the handles of a pair of wood or bamboo salad servers, then rinse and dry them. — Jodi Levine, Parents, 21 Aug. 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