variants or less commonly bullrush
: any of several large rushes or sedges growing in wetlands: such as
a
: any of various annual or perennial sedges (genera Scirpus and Schoenoplectus) that bear solitary or much-clustered spikelets containing perfect flowers with a perianth of six bristles
b
British : either of two cattails (Typha latifolia and T. angustifolia)
c

Examples of bulrush in a Sentence

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.
In natural lakes, good cover includes the rhizomes (root systems) of white water lily or open cavities within curtains of hardstem bulrush. Cory Schmidt, Outdoor Life, 15 Apr. 2026 Tules are a type of bulrush found in wetlands across California, Bay Nature said. Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 21 Jan. 2026 And in England, a startup is growing bulrush for winter jacket insulation. Troy Aidan Sambajon, Christian Science Monitor, 7 Apr. 2025 Now is the time to emerge from the bulrushes, as Miriam eventually did. Rev. Steven R. Jungkeit, Hartford Courant, 4 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for bulrush

Word History

Etymology

Middle English bulrysche

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of bulrush was in the 15th century

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Cite this Entry

“Bulrush.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bulrush. Accessed 12 Jul. 2026.

Kids Definition

: any of several large sedges or rushes growing in wet land or water

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