root

1 of 4

noun

plural roots
1
a
: the usually underground part of a seed plant body that originates usually from the hypocotyl, functions as an organ of absorption, aeration, and food storage or as a means of anchorage and support, and differs from a stem especially in lacking nodes, buds, and leaves
b
: any subterranean plant part (such as a true root or a bulb, tuber, rootstock, or other modified stem) especially when fleshy and edible
2
a
: the part of a tooth within the socket
also : any of the processes into which this part is often divided see tooth illustration
b
: the enlarged basal part of a hair within the skin
c
: the proximal end of a nerve
especially : the initial segment of a spinal nerve where it branches from the spinal cord : nerve root see also dorsal root, ventral root
d
: the part of an organ or physical structure by which it is attached to the body
the root of the tongue
3
a
: something that is an origin or source (as of a condition or quality)
… the love of money is the root of all evil …1 Timothy 6:10 (King James Version)
b
: one or more progenitors of a group of descendants
usually used in plural
c
: an underlying support : basis
d
: the essential core : heart
often used in the phrase at root
e
: close relationship with an environment : tie
usually used in plural
They put down roots in a farming community.
4
a
: a quantity taken an indicated number of times as an equal factor
2 is a fourth root of 16.
b
: a number that reduces an equation to an identity when it is substituted for one variable
5
a
: the lower part : base
b
: the part by which an object is attached to something else
6
: the simple element inferred as the basis from which a word is derived by phonetic change or by extension (such as composition or the addition of an affix or inflectional ending)
7
: the lowest tone of a chord (such as C in a C minor chord) when the tones are arranged in ascending thirds
8
computers : a level of access to a computer system that allows complete access to files on the system and complete control over the system's functions
usually used before another noun
root user
root directory
rooted
ˈrü-təd How to pronounce root (audio)
ˈru̇-
adjective
rootedness noun
rootless
ˈrüt-ləs How to pronounce root (audio)
ˈru̇t-
adjective
rootlessness noun
rootlike
ˈrüt-ˌlīk How to pronounce root (audio)
ˈru̇t-
adjective

see also take root

root

2 of 4

verb (1)

rooted; rooting; roots

transitive verb

1
a
: to furnish with or enable to develop roots
b
: to fix or implant by or as if by roots
2
: to remove altogether by or as if by pulling out by the roots
usually used with out
root out dissenters

intransitive verb

1
: to grow roots or take root
2
: to have an origin or base

root

3 of 4

verb (2)

rooted; rooting; roots

intransitive verb

1
: to turn up or dig in the earth with the snout : grub
2
: to poke or dig about

transitive verb

: to turn over, dig up, or discover and bring to light
usually used with out
root out the cause of the problem

root

4 of 4

verb (3)

rooted; rooting; roots

intransitive verb

1
: to noisily applaud or encourage a contestant or team : cheer
2
: to wish the success of or lend support to someone or something
rooter noun
Choose the Right Synonym for root

origin, source, inception, root mean the point at which something begins its course or existence.

origin applies to the things or persons from which something is ultimately derived and often to the causes operating before the thing itself comes into being.

an investigation into the origin of baseball

source applies more often to the point where something springs into being.

the source of the Nile
the source of recurrent trouble

inception stresses the beginning of something without implying causes.

the business has been a success since its inception

root suggests a first, ultimate, or fundamental source often not easily discerned.

the real root of the violence

Examples of root in a Sentence

Noun Elm trees have shallow roots. Pull weeds up by the roots so that they don't grow back. You can tell that she dyes her hair blonde because her dark roots are showing.
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Their historical roots likewise can be traced to one type of garment: not the corset, as many might assume, but the piece that ultimately inspired the corset, the breastplate. Laurie Brookins, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Mar. 2024 The root buds around the edge of the stem should be visible. Grace Haynes, Southern Living, 11 Mar. 2024 It was built in the early 1920s as the home for an L.A. chapter of the B’nai B’rith, a Jewish service organization with New York roots. Angie Orellana Hernandez, Los Angeles Times, 8 Mar. 2024 As President Joe Biden delivered a fiery State of the Union address Thursday night, two people with Indiana roots were invited guests of First Lady Jill Biden and Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff. John Tufts, The Indianapolis Star, 8 Mar. 2024 The Roman rule Femicide is a cultural phenomenon with deep roots that go back millennia. Julia Khrebtan-Hörhager, The Conversation, 7 Mar. 2024 This also led me to collaborate with families and people from my area who have chosen to live outside the city in a more conscious and sustainable way, with a more sensory and deep connection with our roots, nature and its habitat. Caterina De Biasio, Vogue, 6 Mar. 2024 And he’s funneled resources to struggling nations to address the root causes of why people leave. Joey Garrison, USA TODAY, 28 Feb. 2024 When issues arise, generative AI quickly identifies the root cause and suggests predefined automation procedures for remediation, reducing mean time to recovery (MTTR). Dave Link, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024
Verb
More so to leave people rooting, as many will, for the vindication of the accused. Jesse Green, New York Times, 7 Mar. 2024 But there was another bargain being made in the 1930s — one rooted not simply in the Social Security program, but in the tax system broadly conceived. Joseph Thorndike, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2024 By rooting ourselves in our customers, that’s given us our purpose and meaning, which permeates everything. Eamon Barrett, Fortune, 9 Feb. 2024 And Armond will be there in Las Vegas to support and root his brother on. Marcus D. Smith, Sacramento Bee, 9 Feb. 2024 Like Kelce, Hardman also has a special lady in his life who was rooting him on at the championship game, his girlfriend Chariah Gordon. Angel Saunders, Peoplemag, 29 Feb. 2024 Poles, with past oppression by Moscow rooted deeply in generational memory, are largely supportive of Ukraine. Vanessa Gera, Quartz, 21 Feb. 2024 The Patriots began as an up-and-coming underdog before later transitioning into a widely disliked team most fans were rooting against thanks to their winning ways. Ben Morse, CNN, 17 Feb. 2024 In this new study, a team in China wanted to learn more about how specifically root microbes will affect tea quality. Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 15 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'root.' 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

Noun

Middle English, from Old English rōt, from Old Norse; akin to Old English wyrt root, Latin radix, Greek rhiza

Verb (2)

alteration of wroot, from Middle English wroten, from Old English wrōtan; akin to Old High German ruozzan to root

Verb (3)

perhaps alteration of rout entry 5

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Verb (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Verb (2)

1516, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Verb (3)

1889, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of root was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near root

Cite this Entry

“Root.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/root. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

root

1 of 4 noun
1
a
: the leafless usually underground part of a plant that absorbs water and minerals, stores food, and holds the plant in place
b
: an underground plant part especially when fleshy and edible
2
a
: the part of a tooth within the socket
b
: the base or end of a bodily part (as a hair or a fingernail) or the part by which it is attached to the body
3
a
: an original cause : source
the roots of evil
b
: the ancestors of a person or a group of persons
people tracing their roots
c
: something that lies under and supports
the roots of a mountain chain
d
: core entry 1 sense 1, heart
the root of the problem
e
: a close relationship with a social environment
has roots in the South
4
a
: a number that when multiplied by itself a given number of times equals a specified number
2 is a 4th root of 16 because 2 x 2 x 2 x 2 = 16
b
: a solution of a polynomial equation with one unknown
(x + 1) (x - 1) = 0 has the roots x = -1 and x = 1
5
: a word or part of a word from which other words are formed
"butler" and "bottle" come from the same Latin root
rooted adjective
rootless adjective
rootlike adjective

root

2 of 4 verb
1
a
: to form or enable to form roots
b
: to fix or become fixed by or as if by roots : take root
2
: to remove by or as if by pulling out the roots
root out spies

root

3 of 4 verb
: to turn up or dig in the soil with the snout
pigs rooting for fungi

root

4 of 4 verb
1
2
: to wish for the success of someone or something
rooting for the underdog
rooter noun
Etymology

Noun

Old English rōt "root of a plant"; of Norse origin

Verb

perhaps an altered form of rout, a rare word meaning "to low or bellow like cattle"

Medical Definition

root

noun
1
a
: the usually underground part of a seed plant body that functions as an organ of absorption, aeration, and food storage or as a means of anchorage and support and that differs from a stem especially in lacking nodes, buds, and leaves
b
: any subterranean plant part (as a true root or a bulb, tuber, rootstock, or other modified stem) especially when fleshy and edible
2
a(1)
: the part of a tooth within the socket
(2)
: any of the processes into which the root of a tooth is often divided
b
: the enlarged basal part of a hair within the skin

called also hair root

c
: the proximal end of a nerve
especially : the initial segment of a spinal nerve where it branches from the spinal cord : nerve root see also dorsal root, ventral root
d
: the part of an organ or physical structure by which it is attached to the body
the root of the tongue
rootless adjective

Legal Definition

root

noun
in the civil law of Louisiana : descendant

Biographical Definition

Root

biographical name

ˈrüt How to pronounce Root (audio)
ˈru̇t
Elihu 1845–1937 American lawyer and statesman

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