rhubarb

[ roo-bahrb ]

noun

1. any of several plants belonging to the genus Rheum, of the buckwheat family, as R. officinale, having a medicinal rhizome, and R. rhabarbarum, having edible leafstalks.
2. the rhizome of any medicinal species of this plant, forming a combined cathartic and astringent.
3. the edible, fleshy leafstalks of R. rhabarbarum, used in making pies, preserves, etc.
4. Slang. a quarrel or squabble.

rhubarb

/ ˈruːbɑːb /

noun

1. any of several temperate and subtropical plants of the polygonaceous genus Rheum , esp R. rhaponticum ( common garden rhubarb ), which has long green and red acid-tasting edible leafstalks, usually eaten sweetened and cooked
2. the leafstalks of this plant
3. a related plant, Rheum officinale , of central Asia, having a bitter-tasting underground stem that can be dried and used medicinally as a laxative or astringent
4. slang.
   a heated discussion or quarrel
5. the noise made by actors to simulate conversation, esp by repeating the word rhubarb at random

verb

1. to simulate conversation, esp by repeating the word rhubarb at random

Word History and Origins

Origin of rhubarb¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English rubarb, reubarb, from Old French r(e)ubarbe, from Medieval Latin reubarbarum, from Greek rhéon bárbaron “foreign rhubarb”

Word History and Origins

Origin of rhubarb¹

C14: from Old French reubarbe , from Medieval Latin reubarbum , probably a variant of rha barbarum barbarian rhubarb, from rha rhubarb (from Greek, perhaps from Rha ancient name of the Volga) + Latin barbarus barbarian

Example Sentences

“I like the idea of getting up on a misty sunrise morning, going down to be with the chickens, harvesting the eggs and looking at how the rhubarb is doing. Going to the outdoor kitchen that he designed with Guy Ritchie, grilling an onion for an egg scramble that he’s making for his family. That’s the dream.”

From Los Angeles Times

All of these experiences from 5 and Ten in Athens with Hugh Acheson to Rhubarb in Asheville with John Fleer informed my goals and then we were able to bring that to Wilmington and create that for ourselves and our business here.

From Salon

And a few years ago, we started a ritual of making strawberry rhubarb pie with our boys.

From Salon

We go and pick the berries and rhubarb with our boys who are 2 and 4 years old and then make the pie with them each year.

From Salon

"Rhubarb is so fascinating to me. I adore its colour and texture. It also means spring is near."

From BBC