bamboo

[ bam-boo ]

noun

, plural bam·boos.

1. any of the woody or treelike tropical and semitropical grasses of the genera Bambusa, Phyllostachys, Dendrocalamus, and allied genera, having woody, usually hollow stems with stalked blades and flowering only after years of growth.
2. the stem of such a plant, used as a building material and for making furniture, poles, etc.

bamboo

/ bæmˈbuː /

noun

1. any tall treelike tropical or semitropical fast-growing grass of the genus Bambusa , having hollow woody-walled stems with ringed joints and edible young shoots ( bamboo shoots )
2. the stem of any of these plants, used for building, poles, and furniture
3. any of various bamboo-like grasses of the genera Arundinaria , Phyllostachys or Dendrocalamus
4. modifier made of bamboo

   a bamboo fence

Word History and Origins

Origin of bamboo¹

1590–1600; spelling variant of earlier bambu < Malay, apparently < Dravidian; compare Kannada bambu, bombu a large, hollow bam-boo (or directly < Dravidian); replacing bambus < Dutch bamboes; compare New Latin bambūsa

Word History and Origins

Origin of bamboo¹

C16: probably from Malay bambu

Example Sentences

This should go without saying, but no bamboo was ever found.

From Salon

Speaking of trail snacks, these reusable bamboo utensil sets are stylish and practical, making them a perfect gift.

From Los Angeles Times

If you are not used to eyeballing this process, use a bamboo skewer or other way to measure the depth after each liquid addition.

From Salon

Only 36 greater bamboo lemurs are in captivity globally and they are classified as critically endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature.

From BBC

But the zoo also predicts that the pandas will be seen exploring, climbing, tumbling and chowing down on bamboo.

From Los Angeles Times