arrowroot

noun

ar·​row·​root ˈer-ō-ˌrüt How to pronounce arrowroot (audio)
-ˌru̇t,
ˈer-ə-,
ˈa-rō-,
ˈa-rə-
plural arrowroots
1
a
: any of a genus (Maranta of the family Marantaceae, the arrowroot or prayer plant family) of tropical American plants that typically have tuberous roots : maranta
especially : one (M. arundinacea) whose roots yield an easily digested edible starch
b
: any of several plants (such as coontie) that yield starch
2
: starch yielded by an arrowroot

Examples of arrowroot in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Starches Cornstarch, potato starch, arrowroot powder, and tapioca starch can all be used as egg replacements when whisked with water into a smooth paste. Alana Al-Hatlani, Southern Living, 24 Aug. 2023 The Best Anti-Chafing Products Body Glide Anti-Friction Cream One of the banner brands in the anti-chafing arena, Body Glide’s clean-recipe cream contains arrowroot powder and kaolin to absorb moisture as well as coconut oil to encourage smooth rubbing. Adam Hurly, Robb Report, 31 May 2023 The all-natural ingredients in this deodorant include coconut oil, olive fruit extract, sodium bicarbonate, magnesium extract, arrowroot powder, and shea butter. Grooming Playbook, The Salt Lake Tribune, 10 June 2022 Add to that roster some additional favorites of ours, which are also safe for use: corn starch, arrowroot powder, and even traces of kaolin clay for added moisture absorption. Adam Hurly, Robb Report, 31 May 2023 Credit a mix of stink-zapping baking soda, moisture-absorbing arrowroot powder, and naturally antimicrobial tea tree oil. Corey Buhay, Outside Online, 23 Jan. 2020 This Art of Sport option is made with natural botanicals like matcha and arrowroot powder to wick away moisture. Heath Owens, Town & Country, 3 Feb. 2023 The brand brings together coconut oil, vitamin E, arrowroot powder, shea butter and jojoba esters to make its safe-for-skin deodorant. Dallas News, 30 Nov. 2022 Its diet evolved from figs, fruits and other foods that grew wild in the forest to agricultural crops like arrowroot, maize and chili peppers. Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 Nov. 2022

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'arrowroot.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1681, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of arrowroot was in 1681

Dictionary Entries Near arrowroot

Cite this Entry

“Arrowroot.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/arrowroot. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

arrowroot

noun
ar·​row·​root -ˌrüt How to pronounce arrowroot (audio)
-ˌru̇t
1
: any of several plants of warm regions of Central and South America with starchy roots
2
: an edible starch from the roots of an arrowroot plant

Medical Definition

arrowroot

noun
1
a
: any plant of the genus Maranta
especially : one (M. arundinacea) whose roots yield an easily digested edible starch
b
: any of several plants (as of the genera Zamia and Curcuma) that yield a similar starch
2
: starch yielded by an arrowroot

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