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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Sorting out the roots of the sweet potato and other members of the morning glory family, researchers compared a fossil leaf of Ipomoea meghalayensis (B) with a leaf of the modern Ipomoea eriocarpa, a close relative of the tasty tuber. —Gemma Tarlach, Discover Magazine, 21 May 2018

This diminutive member of the buttercup family grows from a tuber. —Rita Pelczar, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Dec. 2022

Growing from a swollen tuber-like base, Rieger begonia is a winter-blooming plant. —Viveka Neveln, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Nov. 2022

Correspondent Elaine Quijano checks out the ube, the vivid violet tuber that's taking root in America. —CBS News, 17 Nov. 2022

Thai Sweet Potato Soup combines the tuber with vegetable broth and a bit of Thai red curry paste. —Becky Krystal, Washington Post, 7 Nov. 2022

Unfortunately for the Big Idaho Potato Truck tour team, the California Highway Patrol isn’t as endeared by the 13-foot high tuber. —oregonlive, 8 Oct. 2022

The plant’s tuber, commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine, contains the potentially toxic alkaloid tetrahydropalmatine, according to officials. —Dan Adams, BostonGlobe.com, 12 Aug. 2022

The New Braunfels enclave of Gruene is famous for its tuber-friendly restaurants that move people through with stunning efficiency. —Mike Sutter, San Antonio Express-News, 15 June 2022

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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

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