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taproot

noun
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tap·​root | \ ˈtap-ˌrüt How to pronounce taproot (audio) , -ˌru̇t \

Definition of taproot

1 : a primary root that grows vertically downward and gives off small lateral roots
2 : the central element or position in a line of growth or development

Examples of taproot in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Purple coneflowers can live for decades and send up a fresh sprout each year from a taproot deep in the soil. — Popular Science, "For prairie flowers, fire is the ultimate matchmaker," 29 Jan. 2020 Winning ugly is the taproot essence of college basketball. — Joseph Goodman | Jgoodman@al.com, al, "Bring the noise: Alabama’s students beginning to rival Auburn’s ‘Jungle’," 28 Jan. 2020 The exhibition argues that Peterloo served as a kind of taproot for public political protest in Britain — and perhaps beyond. — BostonGlobe.com, "You're using a browser set to private or incognito mode.," 11 Oct. 2019 The coastal glaciers are like rootlets tendriling off the taproot of Greenland’s interior, the channels through which much of the ice is lost. — Jonathan Nackstrand, National Geographic, "Greenland's melting ice may affect everyone's future," 15 Oct. 2019 If women could batter other women, and men other men, then gender could not be the taproot of oppression. — Larissa Macfarquhar, The New Yorker, "The Radical Transformations of a Battered Women’s Shelter," 13 Aug. 2019 These tough plants have deep taproots that enable them to store some water for lean times. — The Editors, Good Housekeeping, "How to Grow Gorgeous Echinacea in Your Garden," 29 May 2018 These tough plants have deep taproots that enable them to store some water for lean times. — The Editors, Good Housekeeping, "How to Grow Gorgeous Echinacea in Your Garden," 29 May 2018 These tough plants have deep taproots that enable them to store some water for lean times. — The Editors, Good Housekeeping, "How to Grow Gorgeous Echinacea in Your Garden," 29 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'taproot.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of taproot

1601, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for taproot

tap entry 3

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Time Traveler for taproot

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The first known use of taproot was in 1601

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Statistics for taproot

Last Updated

6 Feb 2020

Cite this Entry

“Taproot.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/taproot. Accessed 24 Feb. 2020.

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More Definitions for taproot

taproot

noun
How to pronounce taproot (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of taproot

: the large main root of a plant from which smaller roots grow

See the full definition for taproot in the English Language Learners Dictionary

taproot

noun
tap·​root | \ ˈtap-ˌrüt How to pronounce taproot (audio) , -ˌru̇t \

Kids Definition of taproot

: a main root of a plant that grows straight down and gives off smaller side roots

More from Merriam-Webster on taproot

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with taproot

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about taproot

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