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

See Examples For:

rhubarb

Ziskin also created what she calls a “chef-y” combination: rhubarb with pistachio chiffon and mascarpone custard infused with orange peel.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 28, 2026

At Sainsbury's the range is similarly extensive with orange marmalade, salted caramel, carrot, cherry, rhubarb, ginger and cinnamon.

From BBC ● Mar. 27, 2026

“This is the perfect make-ahead dessert because both the roasted rhubarb and strawberry mixture and the pepita crunch can be made up to 3 days ahead,” according to Catalano.

From Salon ● May 23, 2025

Put another way: Song or no song, every spring across Germany, rhubarb goes completely viral.

From New York Times ● Jun. 1, 2024

But because I’d snapped at her, Ruth glared back and said: “What does it matter anyway? What’s the rhubarb patch got to do with any of this? Just get on with what you were saying.”

From "Never Let Me Go" by Kazuo Ishiguro