stem

1 of 6

noun (1)

ˈstem 

plural stems

1

a

: the main trunk of a plant

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

b

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

c

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

2

a

: the main upright member at the bow of a ship

b

: the bow or prow of a ship compare stern

3

: a line of ancestry : stock

especially : a fundamental line from which others have arisen

4

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

strength is the stem of strengths

also : root sense 6

5

: something held to resemble a plant stem: such as

a

: a main or heavy stroke of a letter

b

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

c

: the part of a tobacco pipe from the bowl outward

d

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

e

: 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

1

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

2

: to check or go counter to (something adverse)

stem

3 of 6

verb (2)

stemmed; stemming

transitive verb

1

: to remove the stem from

2

: 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

1

a

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

b

: to stop or check by or as if by damming

especially : stanch

stem a flow of blood

2

: to turn (a ski) in stemming

intransitive verb

1

: to restrain or check oneself

also : to become checked or stanched

2

: 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)

1

: check, dam

2

: 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

Examples of stem in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Let stems of perennials stand over winter to support native insects and wildlife. —Erica Browne Grivas, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Oct. 2025

Flowers stand on sturdy, upright stems and make excellent cuttings that last up to two weeks in a vase. —Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 27 Oct. 2025

Verb

Congressional Republicans, who voted for the caps, say they are intended to stem a sharp rise in federal student lending over the past two decades that has driven the cost of attendance higher. —Kff Health News, Oc Register, 29 Oct. 2025

Spare the Stems More critically, stems and spent flowers serve better purposes than removal. —Erica Browne Grivas, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Oct. 2025

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

Phrases Containing stem

• brain stem
• main stem
• stem cell
• stem christie
• stem from
• stem rust
• stem the tide
• stem turn
• stem-winder
• stem-winding

Rhymes for stem

• clem
• em
• femme
• gem
• hem
• phlegm
• rem
• them
• atm
• chernozem
• diadem
• ibidem

Kids Definition

stem

1 of 4 noun

ˈstem 

1

a

: the main stalk of a plant that develops buds and shoots and usually grows above the ground

b

: a plant part (as the stalk of a leaf or flower) that supports some other part

2

: the bow of a ship

3

: the basic part of a word to which prefixes or suffixes may be added

4

: something held to resemble a plant stem: as

a

: the short upright line from the head of a musical note

b

: the part of a tobacco pipe from the bowl outward

c

: a main or heavy stroke of a letter

d

: the cylindrical support of a piece of stemware (as a wine glass)

e

: a shaft of a watch used for winding

stemless

-ləs

adjective

stem

2 of 4 verb

stemmed; stemming

1

: to remove the stem from

2

: to have or trace a beginning or growth : derive

illness that stemmed from unsanitary conditions

stem

3 of 4 verb

stemmed; stemming

: to make progress against

stem

4 of 4 verb

stemmed; stemming

1

: to stop or check by or as if by damming

stem the flow of blood from the wound

2

: to become checked or stopped

Etymology

Noun

Old English stefn, stemn "stem of a plant, stem of a ship"

Verb

Middle English stemmen "to dam up"; of Norse origin