root cap

noun

: a protective cap of parenchyma cells that covers the terminal meristem in most root tips

Word History

First Known Use

1849, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of root cap was in 1849

See more words from the same year

Browse Nearby Words

root canal

root cap

root celery

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Root cap.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/root%20cap. Accessed 22 May. 2025.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

root cap

noun

: a layer of dead cells that forms a protective cover over the growing tip of a root

More from Merriam-Webster

Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.

Can you solve 4 words at once?

Can you solve 4 words at once?

Word of the Day

voluble

Listen to the pronunciation of voluble

See Definitions and Examples »

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Using Bullet Points ( • )

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Homophones, Homographs, and Homonyms

Words You Always Have to Look Up

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

Popular in Wordplay

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

10 Hella Good U.S. Regionalisms

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments

Birds Say the Darndest Things

Popular

Using Bullet Points ( • )

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

10 Hella Good U.S. Regionalisms