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
Carey BrothersExamples of root ball in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Gently remove the clove from its old pot, keeping the root ball intact.
—Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 9 Feb. 2026
If the rose is potted and has new leaf growth, keep it in the container until a firm root ball develops.
—Rita Perwich, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Feb. 2026
Dig a hole twice the size of the root ball and gently spread the roots inside.
—Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Feb. 2026
Dig a planting hole 2-3 times as wide as the root ball.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 5 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for root ball
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Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 9 Feb. 2026
If the rose is potted and has new leaf growth, keep it in the container until a firm root ball develops.
—Rita Perwich, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Feb. 2026
Dig a hole twice the size of the root ball and gently spread the roots inside.
—Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Feb. 2026
Dig a planting hole 2-3 times as wide as the root ball.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 5 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for root ball
Cite this Entry
“Root ball.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/root%20ball. Accessed 13 Feb. 2026.
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