bulrush

noun bul·rush \ ˈbu̇l-ˌrəsh \

variants: or less commonly bullrush

|Updated on: 9 Jul 2018

Definition of bulrush

: any of several large rushes or sedges growing in wetlands: such as

a : any of a genus (Scirpus, especially S. lacustris) of annual or perennial sedges that bear solitary or much-clustered spikelets containing perfect flowers with a perianth of six bristles

b British : either of two cattails (Typha latifolia and T. angustifolia)

c : papyrus

See bulrush defined for English-language learners

See bulrush defined for kids

Recent Examples of bulrush from the Web

A year later, plants such as woolgrass bulrush, brome hummock sedge, giant bur-reed, marsh marigold, queen-of-the-prairie and spike gayfeather are attracting dragonflies and monarch butterflies.

— patrick m. o'connell, chicagotribune.com, "A 'wild mile' on the Chicago River? It might be closer than you think," 22 June 2018
Spooked, Pharaoh decreed that all male babies be murdered, which is why Moses was hidden in a basket among the Nile’s bulrushes, to protect him.

— menachem wecker, National Review, "The Catholic Undertones of Vermeer’s Masterpieces," 1 Nov. 2017
Muskrat lodges—small mounds made from bulrush and cattail—dot the landscape.

— National Geographic, "Why Are These Male Fish Growing Eggs?," 3 Feb. 2016
Ted Cavanaugh TED CAVANAUGH RUSH Also known as bulrush or cattail, this wetland reed has serious bona fides: It’s been used to shape chair backs and bottoms since the time of the pharaohs.

— martha stewart, star-telegram, "Weave these decorative pieces into a room’s design naturally," 5 Aug. 2017
Yet this largely wordless series of tableaus tells a story of abandonment, and the baby in the bulrushes isn’t the only injured party.

— laura collins-hughes, New York Times, "Romeo Castellucci," 10 June 2016
Muskrat lodges—small mounds made from bulrush and cattail—dot the landscape.

— National Geographic, "Why Are These Male Fish Growing Eggs?," 3 Feb. 2016

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'bulrush.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.