bamboo

noun

bam·​boo (ˌ)bam-ˈbü  ˈbam-ˌbü 

plural bamboos

often attributive

: any of various woody or arborescent grasses (as of the genera Bambusa, Arundinaria, and Dendrocalamus of the subfamily Bambusoideae) of tropical and temperate regions having hollow stems, thick rhizomes, and shoots that are used for food

also : the jointed stem of bamboo used especially for building, furniture, and utensils

Illustration of bamboo

Examples of bamboo in a Sentence

Bamboo grows in the grove near the house.

We cut down some bamboos.

Recent Examples on the Web

Other standouts include bamboo extract, which shields hair from temperatures up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit, and the brand’s B-Pro3 bond technology, a complex derived from chia seeds that can help protect hair from future damage. —Sarah Felbin, Allure, 26 Apr. 2026

The elevated bamboo design looks sleek in any space, whether used as a writing desk, makeup vanity, or side table, and has earned numerous five-star ratings for its sturdiness, quality, and ease of assembly. —Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Apr. 2026

Other good view barriers for privacy might include the edible olive, pineapple guava, Simpson stopper, Walter’s viburnum, podocarpus and clumping bamboo. —Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 Apr. 2026

Lun Lun, Yang Yang, and their seven bears left for China in 2024, leaving the zoo without the bamboo-eating bears for a time. —Claire Carter, The Washington Examiner, 24 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Malay bambu

First Known Use

1586, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing bamboo

• bamboo curtain
• bamboo shoots

Rhymes for bamboo

• accrue
• ado
• ainu
• aircrew
• airscrew
• anew
• askew
• baboo
• babu
• beaucoup
• bijou
• breakthrough

Kids Definition

bamboo

noun

bam·​boo bam-ˈbü 

plural bamboos

: any of various chiefly tropical tall woody grasses including some with strong hollow stems used for building, furniture, or utensils

also : the strong woody stem of bamboo

bamboo adjective