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bamboo

[ bam-boo ]

noun

, plural bam·boos.
  1. 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.
  2. the stem of such a plant, used as a building material and for making furniture, poles, etc.


bamboo

/ bæmˈbuː /

noun

  1. 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 )
  2. the stem of any of these plants, used for building, poles, and furniture
  3. any of various bamboo-like grasses of the genera Arundinaria , Phyllostachys or Dendrocalamus
  4. modifier made of bamboo

    a bamboo fence

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


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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 bambūsa
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Word History and Origins

Origin of bamboo1

C16: probably from Malay bambu
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Example Sentences

Cotton and bamboo are great for sweaty sleepers, but keep an eye out for brands that specifically tout blankets that will keep you cool throughout the night.

The university will work to find alternatives, such as reusable straws made from bamboo or snacks with compostable wrappers.

All of our pieces are thoughtfully designed using earth-friendly fabrics like bamboo, cupro, and post-consumer plastic bottles, and come from suppliers that have Oeko-Tex and Global Recycled Standard certifications.

From Fortune

By age 1, he will start eating more solid foods such as bamboo, carrots, apples and “nutrient-rich biscuits.”

These bamboo organizers are both functional and elegant, just like traditional shoji.

From Fortune

The young man weaves through clusters of bamboo and cuts a diagonal slash into a tree, positioning a hollow log at the end.

Some facilities had begun erecting “bamboo hand washing stations” at the entrance to hospitals, but not enough.

His early works were mostly high-end residences, and he often used bamboo-like paper tubes in these designs.

When she was young, the homes were made of bamboo and there were no cars or motorbikes.

Tell that to the nearby pandas, happily ensconced with their bamboo, magnificently ignoring everything.

The doors were made of wood, though in many houses paper or plaited bamboo was used.

He swims every day in the river; he fishes from his bamboo raft; he hunts in the forest with his father.

Suppose for one instant that the bamboo should give way under the boy's feet or failed to hold in the tree-top!

All the bamboo clappers, cocoanut shells, tin pans, and red flags that could be found were seized and put into use.

He carries a bamboo basket in which he has put a mixture containing a curious kind of poison.

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