Cuisenaire rod

noun

Cui·​se·​naire rod ˌkwē-zə-ˈner- How to pronounce Cuisenaire rod (audio)
: any of a set of colored rods usually of 1 centimeter cross section and of 10 lengths from 1 to 10 centimeters that are used for teaching number concepts and the basic operations of arithmetic

Word History

Etymology

from Cuisenaire, a trademark

First Known Use

1954, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Cuisenaire rod was in 1954

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Cite this Entry

“Cuisenaire rod.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Cuisenaire%20rod. Accessed 12 Sep. 2025.

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