rhubarb

noun

rhu·​barb ˈrü-ˌbärb 

1

a

: any of a genus (Rheum) of Asian plants of the buckwheat family having large leaves with thick petioles often used as food

also : the petioles of rhubarb

b

: the tart, succulent, usually pink or red petioles of rhubarb used especially in pies and preserves

2

: the dried rhizome and roots of any of various rhubarbs (such as Rheum officinale and R. palmatum) grown chiefly in temperate parts of China and used in folk medicine especially as a laxative, diuretic, and ulcer treatment

3

: a heated dispute or controversy

Synonyms

• quarrel
• altercation
• dispute
• controversy
• fight
• disagreement
• argument
• row
• bicker

Examples of rhubarb in a Sentence

The coach got into a rhubarb with the umpire.

a basketball coach whose ranting rhubarbs with officials are the stuff of legend

Recent Examples on the Web

The holiday flavor is an ode to one of Anderson’s earlier childhood memories of chowing down rhubarb sticks dipped in sugar straight from her garden. —Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 22 Oct. 2025

Tom might not have his perfect work perfectly cut out for him, because when Paul and Prue come to taste his strawberry rhubarb tarts, the meringue isn’t torched enough and sticks to Paul’s knife. —Brian Moylan, Vulture, 17 Oct. 2025

That includes a lemon-ricotta and spring-pea sandwich, and truffle egg salad number, and rhubarb strawberry tart. —Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 26 Sep. 2025

One of their specials had rhubarb syrup, gorgonzola, roasted poblanos, parmesan, and mozzarella. —Greg Sullivan, AFAR Media, 15 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English rubarbe, from Anglo-French reubarbe, from Medieval Latin reubarbarum, alteration of rha barbarum, literally, barbarian rhubarb

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for rhubarb

• aldicarb
• arb
• barb
• barbe
• garb

Kids Definition

rhubarb

noun

rhu·​barb ˈrü-ˌbärb 

1

: a plant related to buckwheat and having large green leaves with thick juicy pink or red stems that are used for food

2

: a heated dispute or argument

Medical Definition

rhubarb

noun

rhu·​barb ˈrü-ˌbärb 

1

: any of several plants of the genus Rheum having large leaves with thick succulent petioles often used as food

2

: the dried rhizome and roots of any of several rhubarbs (especially Rheum officinale and R. palmatum) grown in China and Tibet and used as a purgative and stomachic