bulrush
noun
bul·rush
ˈbu̇l-ˌrəsh 
variants
or less commonly bullrush
: any of several large rushes or sedges growing in wetlands: such as
a
: any of various annual or perennial sedges (genera Scirpus and Schoenoplectus) 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
Examples of bulrush in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
And in England, a startup is growing bulrush for winter jacket insulation.
—
Troy Aidan Sambajon, Christian Science Monitor, 7 Apr. 2025
Since November, we too have been forced to watch and to wait in the bulrushes with Miriam, as if from a distance, using the time to gain perspective and to gather our wits as the current of history swirls around us.
—Rev. Steven R. Jungkeit, Hartford Courant, 4 Feb. 2025
That often means wading into the water where crews hand plant the bulrush to inspect the work.
—Patrick Farrell, Sun Sentinel, 21 Apr. 2024
The swale narrows and continues below the deck, featuring various rush and sedge species, Yerba mansa, low bulrush, coast rosemary and even a little patch of Dymondia ground cover that wandered in from a nearby spot by the mud kitchen.
—Caron Golden, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Jan. 2024
And though much of the textual history will be familiar to scholars who have gone deep into the weeds, or the bulrushes, Wright does a terrific job of bringing it forward for his readers.
—Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 21 Aug. 2023
The captivating colors showcase an impressive plant community of marshes, cattail stands, bulrush beds and mesquite bosques that each year lure thousands of migratory birds.
—Jake Frederico, The Arizona Republic, 19 June 2023
The bulrush mats, which were hand-woven by Wampanoag members, and bearskins were shipped to a Plymouth police detective three weeks after the theft was reported.
—Brian MacQuarrie, BostonGlobe.com, 25 Dec. 2022
After receiving a brief medical checkup—including an ear-cleaning, with ethanol—the vole was released back into the bulrush.
—Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 4 Jan. 2022
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Troy Aidan Sambajon, Christian Science Monitor, 7 Apr. 2025
Since November, we too have been forced to watch and to wait in the bulrushes with Miriam, as if from a distance, using the time to gain perspective and to gather our wits as the current of history swirls around us.
—Rev. Steven R. Jungkeit, Hartford Courant, 4 Feb. 2025
That often means wading into the water where crews hand plant the bulrush to inspect the work.
—Patrick Farrell, Sun Sentinel, 21 Apr. 2024
The swale narrows and continues below the deck, featuring various rush and sedge species, Yerba mansa, low bulrush, coast rosemary and even a little patch of Dymondia ground cover that wandered in from a nearby spot by the mud kitchen.
—Caron Golden, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Jan. 2024
And though much of the textual history will be familiar to scholars who have gone deep into the weeds, or the bulrushes, Wright does a terrific job of bringing it forward for his readers.
—Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 21 Aug. 2023
The captivating colors showcase an impressive plant community of marshes, cattail stands, bulrush beds and mesquite bosques that each year lure thousands of migratory birds.
—Jake Frederico, The Arizona Republic, 19 June 2023
The bulrush mats, which were hand-woven by Wampanoag members, and bearskins were shipped to a Plymouth police detective three weeks after the theft was reported.
—Brian MacQuarrie, BostonGlobe.com, 25 Dec. 2022
After receiving a brief medical checkup—including an ear-cleaning, with ethanol—the vole was released back into the bulrush.
—Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 4 Jan. 2022
Cite this Entry
“Bulrush.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bulrush. Accessed 8 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
bulrush
noun
bul·rush
ˈbu̇l-ˌrəsh
: any of several large sedges or rushes growing in wet land or water
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