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\ ˈrüt 
, ˈru̇t \
, ˈru̇t \Definition of root
(Entry 1 of 5)
1a : the usually underground part of a seed plant body that originates usually from the hypocotyl, functions as an organ of absorption, aeration, and food storage or as a means of anchorage and support, and differs from a stem especially in lacking nodes, buds, and leaves
b : any subterranean plant part (such as a true root or a bulb, tuber, rootstock, or other modified stem) especially when fleshy and edible
2a : the part of a tooth within the socket also : any of the processes into which this part is often divided — see tooth illustration
b : the enlarged basal part of a hair within the skin
c : the proximal end of a nerve
d : the part of an organ or physical structure by which it is attached to the body
the root of the tongue
3a : something that is an origin or source (as of a condition or quality)
the love of money is the root of all evil — 1 Timothy 6:10 (King James Version)
b : one or more progenitors of a group of descendants
—usually used in plural
c : an underlying support : basis
d : the essential core : heart —often used in the phrase at root
e : close relationship with an environment : tie —usually used in pluralthey put down roots in a farming community
4a : a quantity taken an indicated number of times as an equal factor
2 is a fourth root of 16
b : a number that reduces an equation to an identity when it is substituted for one variable
5a : the lower part : base
b : the part by which an object is attached to something else
6 : the simple element inferred as the basis from which a word is derived by phonetic change or by extension (such as composition or the addition of an affix or inflectional ending)
7 : the lowest tone of a chord (such as C in a C minor chord) when the tones are arranged in ascending thirds
8 computers : a level of access to a computer system that allows complete access to files on the system and complete control over the system's functions
—usually used before another nounroot userroot directory
root
verb (1)rooted; rooting; roots
Definition of root (Entry 2 of 5)
1a : to furnish with or enable to develop roots
b : to fix or implant by or as if by roots
2 : to remove altogether by or as if by pulling out by the roots
—usually used with outroot out dissenters
root
verb (2)rooted; rooting; roots
Definition of root (Entry 3 of 5)
: to turn over, dig up, or discover and bring to light
—usually used with outroot out the cause of the problem
root
verb (3)\ ˈrüt also ˈru̇t \
also ˈru̇t \rooted; rooting; roots
Definition of root (Entry 4 of 5)
1 : to noisily applaud or encourage a contestant or team : cheer
2 : to wish the success of or lend support to someone or something
Root
biographical name\ ˈrüt , ˈru̇t \
, ˈru̇t \Definition of Root (Entry 5 of 5)
Elihu 1845–1937 American lawyer and statesman
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Other Words from root
Noun
rooted \ ˈrü-təd , ˈru̇- \ adjective
, ˈru̇- \ adjectiverootedness noun
rootless \ ˈrüt-ləs , ˈru̇t- \ adjective
, ˈru̇t- \ adjectiverootlessness noun
rootlike \ ˈrüt-ˌlīk , ˈru̇t- \ adjective
, ˈru̇t- \ adjectiveVerb (3)
rooter noun
Synonyms for root
Synonyms: Noun
- cradle,
- font,
- fountain,
- fountainhead,
- origin,
- seedbed,
- source,
- spring,
- well,
- wellspring
Examples of root in a Sentence
Noun
Elm trees have shallow roots.
Pull weeds up by the roots so that they don't grow back.
You can tell that she dyes her hair blonde because her dark roots are showing.
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Dictionary Entries near root
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Cite this Entry
“Root.” The Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster Inc., https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rootlike. Accessed 9 December 2019.
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More Definitions for root
root
noun English Language Learners Definition of root
: the part of a plant that grows underground, gets water from the ground, and holds the plant in place
: the part of a tooth, hair, fingernail, etc., that is attached to the body
: the cause or source of something
See the full definition for root in the English Language Learners Dictionary
root
noun\ ˈrüt , ˈru̇t \
, ˈru̇t \Kids Definition of root
(Entry 1 of 4)
1 : the leafless underground part of a plant that absorbs water and minerals, stores food, and holds the plant in place
2 : the part of something by which it is attached
The tooth's root is anchored in bone.
3 : source sense 1 Money is the root of all evil.
4 : the ancestors of a person or group of people
5 : a special relationship
They have roots in the community.
6 : core entry 1 sense 3 We finally got to the root of the problem.
7 : a word or part of a word from which other words are obtained by adding a prefix or suffix
The word “hold” is the root of “holder.”
root
verbrooted; rooting
Kids Definition of root (Entry 2 of 4)
1 : to form or cause to form roots
The seedlings rooted quickly.
2 : to attach by or as if by roots
He was rooted to his chair.
root out
: to remove by or as if by pulling out the roots
The mayor promised to root out crime.
root
verbrooted; rooting
Kids Definition of root (Entry 3 of 4)
: to turn up or dig with or as if with the snout
She rooted in her desk for a pen.
root
verb\ ˈrüt \
\rooted; rooting
Kids Definition of root (Entry 4 of 4)
: to wish for the success of
We're rooting for the underdog.
root
noun\ ˈrüt , ˈru̇t \
, ˈru̇t \Medical Definition of root
1a : the usually underground part of a seed plant body that functions as an organ of absorption, aeration, and food storage or as a means of anchorage and support and that differs from a stem especially in lacking nodes, buds, and leaves
b : any subterranean plant part (as a true root or a bulb, tuber, rootstock, or other modified stem) especially when fleshy and edible
2a(1) : the part of a tooth within the socket
(2) : any of the processes into which the root of a tooth is often divided
b : the enlarged basal part of a hair within the skin
— called also hair root
c : the proximal end of a nerve especially : one or more bundles of nerve fibers joining the cranial and spinal nerves with their respective nuclei and columns of gray matter — see dorsal root, ventral root
d : the part of an organ or physical structure by which it is attached to the body
the root of the tongue
Other Words from root
rootless \ -ləs \ adjective
\ adjectiveKeep scrolling for more
root
noun\ ˈrüt, ˈru̇t \
\Keep scrolling for more
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Time Traveler for root
The first known use of root was in the 12th century
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