taproot
noun
tap·root
| \ ˈtap-ˌrüt
, -ˌru̇t\
, -ˌru̇t\
Definition of taproot
1
: a primary root that grows vertically downward and gives off small lateral roots
2
: the central element or position in a line of growth or development
Examples of taproot in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
If women could batter other women, and men other men, then gender could not be the taproot of oppression. — Larissa Macfarquhar, The New Yorker, "The Radical Transformations of a Battered Women’s Shelter," 13 Aug. 2019 These tough plants have deep taproots that enable them to store some water for lean times. — The Editors, Good Housekeeping, "How to Grow Gorgeous Echinacea in Your Garden," 29 May 2018 These tough plants have deep taproots that enable them to store some water for lean times. — The Editors, Good Housekeeping, "How to Grow Gorgeous Echinacea in Your Garden," 29 May 2018 These tough plants have deep taproots that enable them to store some water for lean times. — The Editors, Good Housekeeping, "How to Grow Gorgeous Echinacea in Your Garden," 29 May 2018 These tough plants have deep taproots that enable them to store some water for lean times. — The Editors, Good Housekeeping, "How to Grow Gorgeous Echinacea in Your Garden," 29 May 2018 Plants grow from thick taproots that are quite deep on mature plants. — The Editors, Good Housekeeping, "How to Grow Gorgeous Echinacea in Your Garden," 29 May 2018 Patsy's Pizzeria Patsy’s Pizzeria, one of the first taproots of NYC’s by-the-slice culture, is a pizza pilgrimage. — Keith Flanagan, Condé Nast Traveler, "19 Best Places for Pizza in New York City," 1 Mar. 2018 Reverting to tribalism is the taproot of our social and political polarization. — WSJ, "It’s Hard to See Democracy Coexisting With Tribalism," 7 Nov. 2018These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'taproot.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for taproot
taproot
noun
English Language Learners Definition of taproot
: the large main root of a plant from which smaller roots grow
See the full definition for taproot in the English Language Learners Dictionary
taproot
noun
tap·root
| \ ˈtap-ˌrüt
, -ˌru̇t\
, -ˌru̇t\
Kids Definition of taproot
: a main root of a plant that grows straight down and gives off smaller side roots