Definition of 'tuber'
Word forms: plural tubers
countable noun
A tuber is the swollen underground stem of particular types of plants.
COBUILD Advanced English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
Word Frequency
tuber in British English
noun
1.
a fleshy underground stem (as in the potato) or root (as in the dahlia) that is an organ of vegetative reproduction and food storage
Collins English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
Word origin
C17: from Latin tūber hump
Word Frequency
tuber in American English
noun
1.
Webster’s New World College Dictionary, 4th Edition. Copyright © 2010 by
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. All rights reserved.
Word origin
L, lit., a swelling, knob, truffle < IE *teubh- < base *tēu-, to swell > thumb, L tumere, to swell
Word Frequency
tuber in American English 1
(ˈtuːbər, ˈtjuː-)
noun
1. Botany
a fleshy, usually oblong or rounded thickening or outgrowth, as the potato, of a subterranean stem or shoot, bearing minute scalelike leaves with buds or eyes in their axils from which new plants may arise
2. Anatomy
a rounded swelling or protuberance; a tuberosity; a tubercle
Most material © 2005, 1997, 1991 by Penguin Random House LLC. Modified entries © 2019
by Penguin Random House LLC and HarperCollins Publishers Ltd
Derived forms
tuberless adjective
tuberoid
adjective
Word origin
[1660–70; ‹ L tūber bump, swelling. Compare truffle]Word Frequency
tuber in American English 2
(ˈtuːbər, ˈtjuː-)
noun
Most material © 2005, 1997, 1991 by Penguin Random House LLC. Modified entries © 2019
by Penguin Random House LLC and HarperCollins Publishers Ltd
Word origin
[1920–25; tube + -er1]Examples of 'tuber' in a sentence
tuber
These examples have been automatically selected and may contain sensitive content.Read more…
Word lists with
tuber
terms used in botanyQuick word challenge
Quiz Review
Question: 1
-
Score: 0 / 5
Which term used in botany am I?
any flowering plant of the class Monocotyledonae, having a single embryonic seed leaf, leaves with parallel veins, and flowers with parts in threes: includes grasses, lilies, palms, and orchids
Which term used in botany am I?
a racemose inflorescence having many small sessile flowers borne on a fleshy stem, the whole usually being surrounded by a spathe: typical of aroid plants
Which term used in botany am I?
an epidermal pore, present in large numbers in plant leaves, that controls the passage of gases into and out of a plant
Which term used in botany am I?
any organ, esp in fungi, in which asexual spores are produced
Which term used in botany am I?
a hard protective outer layer of the seeds of flowering plants; seed coat
Your score:
Trends of
tuber
View usage for:
In other languages
tuber
British English: tuber
/ˈtjuːbə/ NOUN
A tuber is the swollen underground stem of particular types of plants.
Nearby words of
tuber
Related terms of
tuber
Source
Definition of tuber from theCollins English Dictionary
Quick word challenge
Quiz Review
Question: 1
-
Score: 0 / 5
wait or weight?
Which version is correct?
tide or tied?
Drag the correct answer into the box.
tide
tied
The was going out, and the sand was smooth and glittering.
principal or principle?
Which version is correct?
oar or ore?
Drag the correct answer into the box.
oar
ore
He was using the other as a rudder.
coffee or tea?
Drag the correct answer into the box.
tea
coffee
something is not your cup of
Your score:
Word of the day
ode
An ode is a poem, especially one that is written in praise of a particular person, thing, or event .
National Limerick Day
For National Limerick Day Collins Dictionary looks at the ground rules and patterns a limerick must follow, and discusses their origin.
Read more
7 Shakespearean words to add to your vocabulary
It’s English Language Day! The annual event where language lovers come together to celebrate the great William Shakespeare and a chance to celebrate multilingualism in English-speaking countries around the globe. We’re celebrating with this list of 7 Shakespearean words to weave into your vocabulary. Without further ado, let us go forth.
Read more
What is brain fog anyway?
Brain fog has been on people’s minds in more ways than one during the pandemic and after the recent lockdownversary. Whether you’re struggling to concentrate in meetings, finding creative thinking nearly impossible, or you’ve lost interest in cracking into that latest bestseller, brain fog has become more common amongst the population.
Read more
Collins English Dictionary Apps
Download our English Dictionary apps - available for both iOS and Android.
Read more
Collins Dictionaries for Schools
Our new online dictionaries for schools provide a safe and appropriate environment for children. And best of all it's ad free, so sign up now and start using at home or in the classroom.
Read more
Word lists
We have almost 200 lists of words from topics as varied as types of butterflies, jackets, currencies, vegetables and knots!
Amaze your friends with your new-found knowledge!
Read more
Join the Collins community
All the latest wordy news, linguistic insights, offers and competitions every month.
Read more
Quick word challenge
Quiz Review
Question: 1
-
Score: 0 / 5
classic or classical?
Drag the correct answer into the box.
classic
classical
This is one of the works of Hollywood cinema.
assignment or homework?
Drag the correct answer into the box.
homework
assignment
We get every day.
beside or besides?
Drag the correct answer into the box.
besides
beside
What languages do you know Arabic and English?
also or too?
Which version is correct?
conscience or consciousness?
Which version is correct?
Your score: