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

Not to mention the choice of bamboo as the primary structural material: its rapid growth, renewability, and carbon sequestration capabilities endow it with many virtuous properties. —Jim Dobson, Forbes.com, 16 June 2025

These are the best sheets to sleep on, from cotton percale to bamboo and linen. —Scott Gilbertson, Wired News, 16 June 2025

Contributor Yelena Moroz Alpert also has this set and says that the cooling lyocell fabric set takes the bamboo sheets category up a notch. —Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 13 June 2025

Within five years, the willow will hold itself up entirely, and the bamboo will disintegrate. —Alessandra Schade, Vogue, 7 June 2025

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