root

noun, often attributive

\ ˈrüt

, 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)

transitive verb

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

intransitive verb

1 : to grow roots or take root

2 : to have an origin or base

root

verb (2)

rooted; rooting; roots

Definition of root (Entry 3 of 5)

intransitive verb

1 : to turn up or dig in the earth with the snout : grub

2 : to poke or dig about

transitive verb

: 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

rooted; rooting; roots

Definition of root (Entry 4 of 5)

intransitive verb

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 \

Definition of Root (Entry 5 of 5)

Elihu 1845–1937 American lawyer and statesman

Other Words from root Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about root

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Choose the Right Synonym for root

Noun

origin, source, inception, root mean the point at which something begins its course or existence. origin applies to the things or persons from which something is ultimately derived and often to the causes operating before the thing itself comes into being. an investigation into the origin of baseball source applies more often to the point where something springs into being. the source of the Nile the source of recurrent trouble inception stresses the beginning of something without implying causes. the business has been a success since its inception root suggests a first, ultimate, or fundamental source often not easily discerned. the real root of the violence

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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 \

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

verb

rooted; 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

verb

rooted; 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

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

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root

noun

\ ˈrüt, ˈru̇t