root

3
[ root or, sometimes, roo t ]
/ rut or, sometimes, rʊt /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR root ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used without object)

to encourage a team or contestant by cheering or applauding enthusiastically.
to lend moral support: The whole group will be rooting for him.

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Origin of root

3
1885–90, Americanism; perhaps variant of rout4

Words nearby root

rooseveltian, roost, rooster, rooster tail, roosterfish, root, root amputation, root and branch, root beer, root canal, root canal therapy
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Words related to root for

reinforce, boost, support, back, cooperate, benefit, sustain, aid, facilitate, expedite, call, discuss, talk, urge, uphold, favor, encourage, tout, recommend, propose

British Dictionary definitions for root for (1 of 3)

root1
/ (ruːt) /

noun

verb

See also root out, roots, root up

Derived forms of root

rooter, nounrootlike, adjectiverooty, adjectiverootiness, noun

Word Origin for root

Old English rōt, from Old Norse; related to Old English wyrt wort

British Dictionary definitions for root for (2 of 3)

root2
/ (ruːt) /

verb (intr)

(of a pig) to burrow in or dig up the earth in search of food, using the snout
(foll by about, around, in etc) informal to search vigorously but unsystematically

Derived forms of root

rooter, noun

Word Origin for root

C16: changed (through influence of root 1) from earlier wroot, from Old English wrōtan; related to Old English wrōt snout, Middle Dutch wrōte mole

British Dictionary definitions for root for (3 of 3)

root3

verb

(intr usually foll by for) informal to give support to (a contestant, team, etc), as by cheering

Derived forms of root

rooter, noun

Word Origin for root

C19: perhaps a variant of Scottish rout to make a loud noise, from Old Norse rauta to roar
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medical definitions for root for

root
[ rōōt, rut ]

n.

The embedded part of an organ or structure, such as a hair, tooth, or nerve, serving as a base or support.
A primary source; an origin; radix.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.

Scientific definitions for root for

root
[ rōōt, rut ]

A plant part that usually grows underground, secures the plant in place, absorbs minerals and water, and stores food manufactured by leaves and other plant parts. Roots grow in a root system. Eudicots and magnoliids have a central, longer, and larger taproot with many narrower lateral roots branching off, while monocots have a mass of threadlike fibrous roots, which are roughly the same length and remain close to the surface of the soil. In vascular plants, roots usually consist of a central cylinder of vascular tissue, surrounded by the pericycle and endodermis, then a thick layer of cortex, and finally an outer epidermis or (in woody plants) periderm. Only finer roots (known as feeder roots) actively take up water and minerals, generally in the uppermost meter of soil. These roots absorb minerals primarily through small epidermal structures known as root hairs. In certain plants, adventitious roots grow out from the stem above ground as aerial roots or prop roots, bending down into the soil, to facilitate the exchange of gases or increase support. Certain plants (such as the carrot and beet) have fleshy storage roots with abundant parenchyma in their vascular tissues. See also fibrous root taproot.
Any of various other plant parts that grow underground, especially an underground stem such as a corm, rhizome, or tuber.
The part of a tooth that is embedded in the jaw and not covered by enamel.
Mathematics
  1. A number that, when multiplied by itself a given number of times, produces a specified number. For example, since 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 = 16, 2 is a fourth root of 16.
  2. A solution to an equation. For example, a root of the equation x2 - 4 = 0 is 2, since 22 - 4 = 0.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Cultural definitions for root for (1 of 2)

root

In biology, the part of a plant that grows downward and holds the plant in place, absorbs water and minerals from the soil, and often stores food. The main root of a plant is called the primary root; others are called secondary roots. The hard tip is called the root cap, which protects the growing cells behind it. Root hairs increase the root's absorbing surface.

Cultural definitions for root for (2 of 2)

root

The part of a tooth below the gum. The root anchors the tooth to the jawbone.

The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Idioms and Phrases with root for (1 of 2)

root for

Cheer on, give moral support to, as in The fans were out rooting for their team, or I've been rooting for you to get that promotion. This expression may come from the British verb rout, which is used of cattle and means “bellow.” [Late 1800s]

Idioms and Phrases with root for (2 of 2)

root
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.