tuber

1 of 2

noun (1)

tu·​ber ˈtü-bər 

ˈtyü-

plural tubers

1

a

: a short fleshy usually underground stem bearing minute scale leaves each of which bears a bud in its axil and is potentially able to produce a new plant

Wireworms work beneath the soil, tunneling in the potato tubers and sometimes doing serious damage.

—Glenn Drowns

Manioc flour, made from cassava (a starchy tuber), is available at many Latin American markets.

—Paul Theroux

compare bulb, corm

b

: a fleshy root or rhizome resembling a tuber

2

: tuberosity

tuber

2 of 2

noun (2)

tub·​er ˈtü-bər 

ˈtyü-

plural tubers

: a person who engages in the sport or activity of riding an inner tube (as down a river or snowy slope) : one who participates in tubing

With so many tubers using the river, streambank erosion became a problem at popular exit points.

—Jerry Gerlach et al.

Skiers, snowboarders and snow tubers have seen everything Mother Nature can throw at them this winter.

—Ron Leonardi

Examples of tuber in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Ashlie, a health coach and grad student in nutritional science, starts many of the leafy greens, roots and tubers, and a whole host of fruits from seed. —Elizabeth Jardina, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 June 2026

To grow these slips, grab an organic sweet potato—it’s recommended to use an organic tuber, as regular ones are usually treated with anti-sprouting agents. —Asia London Palomba, The Spruce, 31 May 2026

The in-room bar offered a thoughtful curation of Turkish snacks and treats, such as potato chips made from tubers grown in the surrounding Nevşehir region and a chocolate bar handmade by an Istanbul chocolatier. —Anya Von Bremzen, Travel + Leisure, 31 May 2026

Forecasted temperatures in the 80s and expected lake water temps around the mid-70s will provide great conditions for boaters, tubers, swimmers and other water enjoyers. —Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 22 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Latin, swelling, truffle; perhaps akin to Latin tumēre to swell — more at thumb entry 1

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1668, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun (2)

1968, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for tuber

• gruber

Kids Definition

tuber

noun

tu·​ber ˈt(y)ü-bər 

1

: a short fleshy usually underground stem (as of a potato plant) having tiny scalelike leaves each with a bud at its base that can produce a new plant compare bulb sense 1a, corm

2

: a fleshy root or rhizome that resembles a tuber

Medical Definition

tuber

noun

tu·​ber ˈt(y)ü-bər 

: an anatomical prominence : tuberosity