Illustration of bamboo
bamboo
noun
bam·boo
(ˌ)bam-ˈbü 
ˈbam-ˌbü
ˈbam-ˌbü
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
Examples of bamboo in a Sentence
Bamboo grows in the grove near the house.
We cut down some bamboos.
Recent Examples on the Web
Today these may not be available to most of us, but can be substituted with bamboo or wood stakes found at garden centers or lumberyards.
—
Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 Apr. 2026
Their work focuses on enabling bamboo-frame drones to operate reliably without sacrificing stability or precision.
—Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 4 Apr. 2026
The new extension was designed to echo the district’s iconic machiya, wooden townhouses, and features dimpled naguri floors, bamboo screens, zelkova, chestnut and cherry wood touches.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 Apr. 2026
In the north of Kyoto is Arashiyama, famed for its lush bamboo groves.
—Jessica Kozuka, Travel + Leisure, 3 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for bamboo
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Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 Apr. 2026
Their work focuses on enabling bamboo-frame drones to operate reliably without sacrificing stability or precision.
—Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 4 Apr. 2026
The new extension was designed to echo the district’s iconic machiya, wooden townhouses, and features dimpled naguri floors, bamboo screens, zelkova, chestnut and cherry wood touches.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 Apr. 2026
In the north of Kyoto is Arashiyama, famed for its lush bamboo groves.
—Jessica Kozuka, Travel + Leisure, 3 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for bamboo
Cite this Entry
“Bamboo.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bamboo. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
bamboo
noun
bam·boo
bam-ˈbü
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
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