bamboo

[ bam-boo ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

plural bamboos.

any of the woody or treelike tropical and semitropical grasses of the genera Bambusa, Phyllostachys, Dendrocalamus, and allied genera, having woody, usually hollow stems with stalked blades and flowering only after years of growth.
the stem of such a plant, used as a building material and for making furniture, poles, etc.

bamboo

/ ��æ��ˈ��ː /

noun

any tall treelike tropical or semitropical fast-growing grass of the genus Bambusa , having hollow woody-walled stems with ringed joints and edible young shoots ( bamboo shoots )
the stem of any of these plants, used for building, poles, and furniture
any of various bamboo-like grasses of the genera Arundinaria , Phyllostachys or Dendrocalamus
modifier made of bamboo
a bamboo fence

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Word History and Origins

Origin of bamboo¹

1590–1600; spelling variant of earlier bambu < Malay, apparently < Dravidian; compare Kannada bambu, bombu a large, hollow bam-boo (or directly < Dravidian); replacing bambus < Dutch bamboes; compare New Latin ��ū��

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Word History and Origins

Origin of bamboo¹

C16: probably from Malay bambu

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

I’ve got one of those bamboo whisks, and I like the whole routine of boiling water and then whisking in the matcha powder.

From

Vietnam's "bamboo diplomacy", where it attempts to be friends with everyone and balance ties with both China and the US, will now be tested.

From

This strategy is in line with its foreign policy approach - known as "bamboo diplomacy".

From

Carbon, he notes, is after all the building block of life, the animating force behind trees, rhinos, eyelashes, hormones, bamboo, and so much more.

From

Flanked by two bamboo plants, standing behind a lectern, she speaks without notes or props.

From

bambocciata bamboo curtain

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