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

The young man weaves through clusters of bamboo and cuts a diagonal slash into a tree, positioning a hollow log at the end.

From The Daily Beast

Some facilities had begun erecting “bamboo hand washing stations” at the entrance to hospitals, but not enough.

From The Daily Beast

His early works were mostly high-end residences, and he often used bamboo-like paper tubes in these designs.

From The Daily Beast

When she was young, the homes were made of bamboo and there were no cars or motorbikes.

From The Daily Beast

Tell that to the nearby pandas, happily ensconced with their bamboo, magnificently ignoring everything.

From The Daily Beast

The doors were made of wood, though in many houses paper or plaited bamboo was used.

From Project Gutenberg

He swims every day in the river; he fishes from his bamboo raft; he hunts in the forest with his father.

From Project Gutenberg

Suppose for one instant that the bamboo should give way under the boy's feet or failed to hold in the tree-top!

From Project Gutenberg

All the bamboo clappers, cocoanut shells, tin pans, and red flags that could be found were seized and put into use.

From Project Gutenberg

He carries a bamboo basket in which he has put a mixture containing a curious kind of poison.

From Project Gutenberg