rhizome

noun

rhi·​zome ˈrī-ˌzōm How to pronounce rhizome (audio)
: a somewhat elongated usually horizontal subterranean plant stem that is often thickened by deposits of reserve food material, produces shoots above and roots below, and is distinguished from a true root in possessing buds, nodes, and usually scalelike leaves
rhizomic
rī-ˈzō-mik How to pronounce rhizome (audio)
-ˈzä-
adjective

Examples of rhizome in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Make sure the rhizome is on the surface of the soil and that the crown of the rhizome isn't covered with gravel. Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 21 Feb. 2024 Set a rhizome horizontally in the pot on top of the soil with the bud end up. Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 21 Feb. 2024 Grayish white hairs cover the rhizomes that inspired its common name. Savanna Bous, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Nov. 2023 That timing is important because harvesting ginger means uprooting the whole plant to get to the rhizomes growing underground. Serina Desalvio, Discover Magazine, 16 Dec. 2023 Common Pests & Plant Diseases Root rot is a common disease in the soil, a fungus caused by overwatering and often attached rhizome plants. Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 22 Aug. 2023 Clear plastic tarps are laid over the lawn, in turn intensifying temperatures and ultimately killing everything (including pesky rhizomes and seeds). Kristin Guy, Sunset Magazine, 2 Mar. 2023 However, the supermarket ginger that most people are familiar with is the knobby, root-like rhizome of Z. officinale, better known as the garden ginger. Alice Chi Phung, Discover Magazine, 30 Sep. 2014 Focus on plants with aggressive rhizomes or ground covers and to plant them densely. Kristin Guy, Sunset Magazine, 2 Mar. 2023

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

Word History

Etymology

New Latin rhizomat-, rhizoma, from Greek rhizōmat-, rhizōma mass of roots, from rhizoun to cause to take root, from rhiza root — more at root

First Known Use

1833, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of rhizome was in 1833

Dictionary Entries Near rhizome

Cite this Entry

“Rhizome.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rhizome. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

rhizome

noun
rhi·​zome ˈrī-ˌzōm How to pronounce rhizome (audio)
: a rootlike, often thickened, and usually horizontal underground plant stem that produces shoots above and roots below

Medical Definition

rhizome

noun
rhi·​zome ˈrī-ˌzōm How to pronounce rhizome (audio)
: a usually horizontal subterranean plant stem that is distinguished from a true root in possessing buds, nodes, and usually scalelike leaves

More from Merriam-Webster on rhizome

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