Root

/ruːt/

Meaning & Definition

noun

The part of a plant that attaches it to the ground or to a support, typically underground, and is responsible for absorbing nutrients and water.

The gardener examined the roots of the plant to ensure they were healthy.

The fundamental or basic cause, source, or origin of something.

We need to address the root of the problem rather than just treating its symptoms.

The part of a word that contains its basic meaning, which can have prefixes or suffixes added to it.

In the word 'unhappiness', 'happy' is the root.

A person’s ancestry or cultural heritage.

She traced her roots back to Italy and decided to visit her ancestors' hometown.

A mathematical expression that produces a specified number when multiplied by itself a certain number of times.

The square root of 16 is 4.

verb

To establish deeply and firmly.

The new policies were rooted in the principles of equality and justice.

To cause to take root; to plant securely.

They rooted the young trees in the soil to ensure growth.

Old English 'wyrt', meaning 'plant', and later 'root'.

root cause:

The primary reason for a problem.

put down roots:

To settle in one place.

root for someone:

To support or cheer for someone.

To have sex (Australian slang).

They were rooting all night.

To cheer for or support a team (informal).

I'm rooting for the home team in the finals.