bamboo

noun

bam·​boo (ˌ)bam-ˈbü How to pronounce bamboo (audio) ˈbam-ˌbü How to pronounce bamboo (audio)
plural bamboos
often attributive
: any of various woody or arborescent grasses (as of the genera Bambusa, Arundinaria, and Dendrocalamus of the subfamily Bambusoideae) of tropical and temperate regions having hollow stems, thick rhizomes, and shoots that are used for food
also : the jointed stem of bamboo used especially for building, furniture, and utensils

Illustration of bamboo

Illustration of bamboo

Examples of bamboo in a Sentence

Bamboo grows in the grove near the house. We cut down some bamboos.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
When ready to grill, remove the tofu from the marinade and thread on the bamboo skewers. — Lynda Balslev, Mercury News, 28 July 2026 All Volcanoes lodges are hand-crafted, using local, natural products such as wood and bamboo, while art and travel books, vibrant greens of the elephant grass, and local artwork add to the calm. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 July 2026 Field trials in Qinghai province and the Inner Mongolia autonomous region have already proven successful, demonstrating that bamboo barriers can endure brutal desert climates without brittle snapping or rotting early. — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 27 July 2026 Quince, which is one of BHG’s top places to buy bedding, is my new go-to for finding rich fabrics like European linen, soft bamboo, and mulberry silk at shockingly low prices. — Better Homes & Gardens, 27 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for bamboo

Word History

Etymology

Malay bambu

First Known Use

1586, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of bamboo was in 1586

Phrases Containing bamboo

Rhymes for bamboo

See All Rhymes for bamboo

Browse Nearby Words

bamboche
bamboo
bamboo borer
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Bamboo.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bamboo. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

bamboo

noun
bam·​boo bam-ˈbü How to pronounce bamboo (audio)
plural bamboos
: any of various chiefly tropical tall woody grasses including some with strong hollow stems used for building, furniture, or utensils
also : the strong woody stem of bamboo
bamboo adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on bamboo

Nglish: Translation of bamboo for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about bamboo

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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