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.—
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Carey BrothersExamples of root ball in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Remove your plant from its container and notice the tightly wound shoots now forming the root ball.
—Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 Mar. 2026
Cover the top of the root ball with a deep layer of soil, avoiding covering any of the woody bark.
—Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 12 Mar. 2026
In general, thoroughly water the root ball and let the soil dry between waterings.
—Lauren Dunec Hoang, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Mar. 2026
Dig a hole twice as wide as the plant’s root ball.
—Holly McNamara, Hartford Courant, 7 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for root ball
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Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 Mar. 2026
Cover the top of the root ball with a deep layer of soil, avoiding covering any of the woody bark.
—Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 12 Mar. 2026
In general, thoroughly water the root ball and let the soil dry between waterings.
—Lauren Dunec Hoang, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Mar. 2026
Dig a hole twice as wide as the plant’s root ball.
—Holly McNamara, Hartford Courant, 7 Mar. 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 17 Mar. 2026.
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