rhubarb

American  

[roo-bahrb] / ˈru bɑrb /

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.

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rhubarb British  

/ 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

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verb

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

Usage

What is rhubarb? Rhubarb is a plant with edible leafstalks that are known for their use in making pies and preserves. This kind of rhubarb has a tart, tangy, sour flavor that’s often paired with sweet ingredients, such as in strawberry rhubarb pie. Rhubarb is also used as a slang term to refer to a fight or argument. This slang term is especially associated with baseball, as in The manager came out to argue the umpire’s call and it wasn’t long before it turned into a rhubarb with pointing and shouting. In the context of theater, the word rhubarb is used as a term for the noise made by actors to simulate conversation. For whatever reason, this is sometimes done by randomly repeating the word rhubarb. Rhubarb can also be used as a verb meaning to simulate conversation in this way. Example: Rhubarb has a very short growing season, so I like to use it in as many recipes as I can when it’s available.

Etymology

Origin of rhubarb

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”

Example Sentences

Substitution for Rhubarb: Thawed, previously frozen cranberries work great as a substitute for rhubarb.

From Salon • Mar. 29, 2024

Meanwhile in West Yorkshire, the Rhubarb Rhubarb project is to receive £22,070 to explore the history of a former rhubarb farm in the Leeds suburb of Kirkstall.

From BBC • Feb. 21, 2024

Curled in an armchair at home in Studio City — her little dog, Bobby Rhubarb, tucked next to her — Lewis smiles when asked on a recent afternoon how that hallowed position makes her feel.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 9, 2023

The dog, Bobby Rhubarb, a shiny black cockapoo, greeted me with a waist-high leap when I visited Lewis recently at her home at the end of a wildflower-lined canyon road in the San Fernando Valley.

From New York Times • Jun. 5, 2023

For the most part, these Swellings were removed by the Use of cordial Medicines mixed with the Bark, or a Course of Bitters, and some Doses of Rhubarb given at proper Intervals.

From An Account of the Diseases which were most frequent in the British military hospitals in Germany by Monro, Donald