bamboo

bam-boo · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    A giant woody grass native to tropical and subtropical regions, with hollow stems.

  2. 2.

    The hollow woody stem of this plant, used as a building material or for making various objects.

  3. 3.

    The material obtained from this plant.

Forms

plural: bamboos

Phrases & expressions

  • •
    bamboo shoot — The edible young sprout of bamboo.
  • •
    bamboo curtain — The political barrier between Communist China and the West (historical).
  • •
    bamboo forest — A dense growth of bamboo plants.

Related words

See also: cane, grass, panda, reed
Synonyms: cane

Etymology

From Dutch bamboes, from Portuguese bambu, probably from Malay mambu or Kannada bambu.