stem

1 of 6

noun (1)

ˈstem

plural stems

Synonyms of stem next

: the main trunk of a plant

specifically : a primary plant axis that develops buds and shoots instead of roots

: a plant part (such as a branch, petiole, or stipe) that supports another (such as a leaf or fruit)

: the complete fruiting stalk of a banana plant with its bananas

: the main upright member at the bow of a ship

: the bow or prow of a ship compare stern

: a line of ancestry : stock

especially : a fundamental line from which others have arisen

: the part of an inflected word that remains after the inflected part is removed

strength is the stem of strengths

also : root sense 6

: something held to resemble a plant stem: such as

: a main or heavy stroke of a letter

: the short perpendicular line extending from the head of a musical note

: the part of a tobacco pipe from the bowl outward

: the cylindrical support of a piece of stemware (such as a goblet)

: a shaft of a watch used for winding

stemlike

ˈstem-ˌlīk

adjective

a stemlike part

stemlike roots

stem

2 of 6

verb (1)

stemmed; stemming

transitive verb

: to make headway against (something, such as an adverse tide, current, or wind)

: to check or go counter to (something adverse)

stem

3 of 6

verb (2)

stemmed; stemming

transitive verb

: to remove the stem from

: to make a stem for (something, such as an artificial flower)

intransitive verb

: to occur or develop as a consequence : have or trace an origin

her success stems from hard work

stem

4 of 6

verb (3)

stemmed; stemming

transitive verb

: to stop or dam up (something, such as a river)

: to stop or check by or as if by damming

especially : stanch

stem a flow of blood

: to turn (a ski) in stemming

intransitive verb

: to restrain or check oneself

also : to become checked or stanched

: to slide the heel of one ski or of both skis outward usually in making or preparing to make a turn

stem

5 of 6

noun (2)

: check, dam

: an act or instance of stemming on skis

STEM

6 of 6

abbreviation

ˈstem

science, technology, engineering, and mathematics

Phrases

from stem to stern

: throughout, thoroughly

Choose the Right Synonym for stem

spring, arise, rise, originate, derive, flow, issue, emanate, proceed, stem mean to come up or out of something into existence.

spring implies rapid or sudden emerging.

an idea that springs to mind

arise and rise may both convey the fact of coming into existence or notice but rise often stresses gradual growth or ascent.

new questions have arisen

slowly rose to prominence

originate implies a definite source or starting point.

the fire originated in the basement

derive implies a prior existence in another form.

the holiday derives from an ancient Roman feast

flow adds to spring a suggestion of abundance or ease of inception.

words flowed easily from her pen

issue suggests emerging from confinement through an outlet.

blood issued from the cut

emanate applies to the coming of something immaterial (such as a thought) from a source.

reports emanating from the capital

proceed stresses place of origin, derivation, parentage, or logical cause.

advice that proceeds from the best of intentions

stem implies originating by dividing or branching off from something as an outgrowth or subordinate development.

industries stemming from space research

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Downs is great at alternating his speed and pace throughout the route stem. —

Evan Frank, The Indianapolis Star, 29 Apr. 2023 If your ex randomly pops up in a dream… This seemingly nightmarish sitch may stem from something small reminding you of them. —

Women's Health, 7 Apr. 2023 Miami’s defense has been strong but some of the recent struggles stem from the lack of offense. —

Ian Firstenberg, Chicago Tribune, 6 Apr. 2023 The higher costs of a fossil fuel-dependent economy would stem from dwindling hydrocarbon supplies in the future that would make remaining reserves more expensive and lost efficiency. —

Tristan Bove, Fortune, 6 Apr. 2023 The charges from a grand jury stem from a payment to adult film actor Stormy Daniels before the 2016 election, as well as attempts to buy the silence of two other people. —

Politifact Staff Writer, Dallas News, 6 Apr. 2023 The case stemmed from Dershowitz’s defense of Trump during his first impeachment trial in the Senate for allegedly soliciting foreign interference in the 2020 election (by withholding aid to Ukraine unless President Volodomyr Zelenskiy investigated Joe Biden’s son, Hunter Biden). —

Matt Ford, The New Republic, 6 Apr. 2023 At the time, Tyson stated the memes stemmed from their struggles with their own sexuality, having come out as bisexual in 2020. —

Ej Dickson, Rolling Stone, 6 Apr. 2023 The exception would be his producer, Katherine (Michaela Watkins), although that stems from a history between them, as flashbacks eventually reveal. —

Brian Lowry, CNN, 6 Apr. 2023

Noun

The shears can cut everything from delicate stems to tough branches or deadwood. —

Nor'adila Hepburn, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 May 2023 What’s the best way to get rid of this weed? — Betty Layton, Glenview Goutweed (Aegopodium podagraria) is a vigorous, invasive perennial that spreads quickly by underground stems called rhizomes and can take over a garden and crowd out garden plants, as well as native plants in natural areas. —

Tim Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 13 May 2023 According to Verdissimo, flower preservation is a rehydration process using glycerin and other plant elements that get absorbed into the flower’s stem. —

Stack Commerce, Popular Science, 3 May 2023 Driving along a precarious mountain road in the Caliente range, Meyer stopped the car and hopped out to admire stands of desert candles, plants with tall inflated stems and maroon petals that are rare sights in this landscape. —

Alice Li, Washington Post, 3 May 2023 With his diverse athletic background, Musgrave is a big, loose athlete who can run the seam, stem defenders or create movement as a combo tight end. —

Jr Radcliffe, Journal Sentinel, 1 May 2023 This vine has fragrant white flowers for late spring and keeps stems full of leaves to the ground. —

Tom Maccubbin, Orlando Sentinel, 29 Apr. 2023 This is visible when facing physical coverage—he can be knocked off his route stem when contacted. —

Evan Frank, The Indianapolis Star, 29 Apr. 2023 Go ahead and show off your stems and your killer curves in this bodycon Modern Movement Mesh Ruched Mock Neck Mini from Lulus. —

Jill Schildhouse, Travel + Leisure, 25 Apr. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'stem.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English, from Old English stefn, stemn stem of a plant or ship; akin to Old High German stam plant stem and probably to Greek stamnos wine jar, histanai to set — more at stand

Verb (1)

Middle English (Scots) stemmen to keep a course, from stem entry 1 (of a ship)

Verb (2)

stem entry 1 (of a plant)

Verb (3)

Middle English stemmen to dam up, from Old Norse stemma; akin to Middle High German stemmen to dam up and probably to Lithuanian stumti to shove

First Known Use

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb (1)

1593, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (2)

1724, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Verb (3)

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Noun (2)

1700, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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