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
To water a new tree slowly, lay a hose turned to just a slow trickle on the root ball near the trunk, and leave it for an hour or so, moving it a few times to new spots.
—Beth Botts, Chicago Tribune, 15 June 2026
Evaluate the size of the root ball and select a container large enough to give the plant a little room to grow into, but not too much extra space.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 11 June 2026
Dig a hole in the soil that is as deep and slightly wider than the root ball.
—Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 8 June 2026
Keep the soil moist, making sure the root ball is wet at each watering.
—Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 23 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for root ball
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Beth Botts, Chicago Tribune, 15 June 2026
Evaluate the size of the root ball and select a container large enough to give the plant a little room to grow into, but not too much extra space.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 11 June 2026
Dig a hole in the soil that is as deep and slightly wider than the root ball.
—Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 8 June 2026
Keep the soil moist, making sure the root ball is wet at each watering.
—Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 23 May 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 18 Jun. 2026.
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