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

Dahlias reach maturity and bloom about eight to ten weeks after the tubers are planted in late spring. —Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 9 July 2025

Individual stakes for each plant should be installed before planting your dahlias to avoid spearing the tubers. —Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 July 2025

Pick up bouquets of fresh-cut dahlias and order your favorites in tuber form for spring delivery. —Elizabeth Brownfield, Forbes, 24 Mar. 2025

In similar fashion, baby spinach are young leaves of ordinary spinach and baby or new potatoes are young tubers of ordinary potatoes. —Joshua Siskin, Orange County Register, 20 Mar. 2025

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
• uber

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