rhizome

noun

rhi·​zome ˈrī-ˌzōm 

: a somewhat elongated usually horizontal subterranean plant stem that is often thickened by deposits of reserve food material, produces shoots above and roots below, and is distinguished from a true root in possessing buds, nodes, and usually scalelike leaves

rhizomic

rī-ˈzō-mik 

-ˈzä-

adjective

Examples of rhizome in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Their roots grow from rhizomes, which are thick, horizontal underground stems. —Soo Kim, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 May 2025

Turmeric is a golden-yellow spice that comes from the rhizome (root) of the Curcuma longa plant. —Lindsay Curtis, Verywell Health, 21 Apr. 2025

Plant the large rhizome horizontally, just below the soil surface. —Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 17 Apr. 2025

Many perennial weeds produce deep tap roots or creeping rhizomes. —Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 5 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

New Latin rhizomat-, rhizoma, from Greek rhizōmat-, rhizōma mass of roots, from rhizoun to cause to take root, from rhiza root — more at root

First Known Use

1833, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for rhizome

• biome
• genome
• megohm
• nichrome
• noisome
• prodrome
• radome
• shalom
• syndrome
• acrosome
• aerodrome
• catacomb

Kids Definition

rhizome

noun

rhi·​zome ˈrī-ˌzōm 

: a rootlike, often thickened, and usually horizontal underground plant stem that produces shoots above and roots below

Medical Definition

rhizome

noun

rhi·​zome ˈrī-ˌzōm 

: a usually horizontal subterranean plant stem that is distinguished from a true root in possessing buds, nodes, and usually scalelike leaves