rootstock

noun

root·​stock ˈrüt-ˌstäk How to pronounce rootstock (audio)
ˈru̇t-
1
: a rhizomatous underground part of a plant
2
: a stock for grafting consisting of a root or a piece of root
broadly : stock sense 7b

Examples of rootstock in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Little Ollie consists of a fruitless olive that has been grafted onto a dwarfing rootstock. Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 20 Sep. 2025 For smaller trees, select winter-hardy varieties on dwarfing rootstocks. Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Sep. 2025 Many of our small trees are grafted onto rootstocks that can tolerate our local soil conditions. Markis Hill, Kansas City Star, 18 July 2025 In recent years, tomato varieties grafted onto bacterial wilt resistant rootstocks are becoming increasingly available. Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 9 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for rootstock

Word History

First Known Use

1832, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of rootstock was in 1832

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Cite this Entry

“Rootstock.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rootstock. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

rootstock

noun
root·​stock ˈrüt-ˌstäk How to pronounce rootstock (audio)
ˈru̇t-
1
2
: a root or part of a root to which an aboveground plant part is grafted

More from Merriam-Webster on rootstock

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