noun
Uncommon
bamboo
bam-BOO
Bamboo (noun) means a fast-growing woody grass with hollow, jointed stems, used for building and furniture. Example: “The fence was made entirely of bamboo poles.”
noun
1
A fast-growing woody grass with hollow, jointed stems, used for building and furniture.
"The fence was made entirely of bamboo poles."
"Pandas eat huge amounts of bamboo every day."
adj
1
Made from bamboo.
"She bought a set of bamboo cutting boards."
"We replaced the plastic toothbrushes with bamboo ones to cut down on waste."
"The shop sells bamboo flooring that looks lovely in a small kitchen."
How to use bamboo
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA tall, hollow-stemmed grass used for building, furniture, and food (for pandas), also used as an adjective for things made of it.
Common pairings
bamboo shoots
bamboo flooring
bamboo forest
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Word forms
- Plural
- bamboos
- Third person singular
- bamboos
- Past tense
- bambooed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The fence was made entirely of _____ poles.
Etymology
Traced through Dutch and Portuguese back to a Kannada word, ultimately from a Dravidian root referring to the neem or similar tree.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for bamboo
See all rhymes for bamboo →Frequently asked questions
What does “bamboo” mean?
The word “bamboo” means a fast-growing woody grass with hollow, jointed stems, used for building and furniture. In plain terms, a tall, hollow-stemmed grass used for building, furniture, and food (for pandas), also used as an adjective for things made of it.
How do you pronounce “bamboo”?
“Bamboo” is pronounced bam-BOO (/bæmˈbu/ in IPA).
How do you use “bamboo” in a sentence?
Here is “bamboo” used in a sentence: “The fence was made entirely of bamboo poles.”
What part of speech is “bamboo”?
Depending on how it is used, “bamboo” can be a noun and an adjective.
Where does the word “bamboo” come from?
The word “bamboo” comes from Dutch. Traced through Dutch and Portuguese back to a Kannada word, ultimately from a Dravidian root referring to the neem or similar tree.
Is “bamboo” a common word?
“Bamboo” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “bamboo” have?
“Bamboo” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a fast-growing woody grass with hollow, jointed stems, used for building and furniture.
Is bamboo a type of wood or grass?
Bamboo is a fast-growing woody grass, not a true wood or tree, despite having hard, jointed stems that are often used like timber. This grass classification is why bamboo grows and regenerates much faster than conventional hardwood trees.
What is bamboo commonly used for?
Bamboo is widely used for building and furniture because of its hollow, jointed stems, which are strong yet lightweight. The adjective form 'bamboo' also describes items made from this material, such as bamboo flooring or bamboo utensils.
Is bamboo considered a sustainable building material?
Bamboo is often regarded as a more sustainable alternative to traditional wood because it is a fast-growing grass that regenerates quickly after harvesting. This rapid growth cycle is a key reason it is popular in eco-conscious construction and furniture design.
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