root ball

noun

ˈrüt-ˌbȯl 

also ˈru̇t-

variants or less commonly rootball

plural root balls also rootballs

: the compact mass of roots and soil formed by a plant especially in a container

If there are large circling roots or you have a difficult time straightening the roots, the root ball should be thinned and the soil loosened before planting.

—Carey Brothers

Examples of root ball in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Only use native soil to backfill planting holes, which should be two or three times wider than the tree’s root ball. — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 29 July 2026

Make sure the root ball is moist at time of planting and keep it moist until roots grow out into the surrounding soil. — Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 July 2026

For larger containers, Steinkopf recommends inserting a wooden dowel into the pot to check moisture deeper in the root ball, since the bottom may still be damp even if the surface feels dry. — Colleen Sullivan, Martha Stewart, 21 July 2026

Case in point, digging holes for new garden plants shouldn’t be much larger than the plant’s root ball. — Michelle Mastro, The Spruce, 15 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1837, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for root ball

• aldol
• armhole
• atoll
• awol
• backhaul
• banal
• baseball
• befall
• cabal
• catchall
• cecal
• centrale