rootstock
noun
root·stock
ˈrüt-ˌstäk 
ˈru̇t-
1
: a rhizomatous underground part of a plant
2
: a stock for grafting consisting of a root or a piece of root
broadly
: stock sense 7b
Examples of rootstock in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
One of the great advances in apple breeding in the past few decades has been the widespread use of dwarf rootstocks.
—
Laura Helmuth, Scientific American, 24 Oct. 2024
The majority of grapevines around the world, including in Europe, are grafted onto American rootstock, which is resistant to phylloxera.
—Mike Desimone and Jeff Jenssen, Robb Report, 27 Oct. 2024
Breeders can plant the trees closer together to make test plots more efficient, and boughs grafted to a dwarf rootstock start producing apples two to three years earlier than those grafted to a traditional rootstock.
—Laura Helmuth, Scientific American, 24 Oct. 2024
Occasionally the rootstock revolts, so to speak, and sends up its own shoots.
—Dawn Pettinelli, Hartford Courant, 29 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for rootstock 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Laura Helmuth, Scientific American, 24 Oct. 2024
The majority of grapevines around the world, including in Europe, are grafted onto American rootstock, which is resistant to phylloxera.
—Mike Desimone and Jeff Jenssen, Robb Report, 27 Oct. 2024
Breeders can plant the trees closer together to make test plots more efficient, and boughs grafted to a dwarf rootstock start producing apples two to three years earlier than those grafted to a traditional rootstock.
—Laura Helmuth, Scientific American, 24 Oct. 2024
Occasionally the rootstock revolts, so to speak, and sends up its own shoots.
—Dawn Pettinelli, Hartford Courant, 29 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for rootstock
Dictionary Entries Near rootstock
Cite this Entry
“Rootstock.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rootstock. Accessed 24 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
rootstock
noun
root·stock
ˈrüt-ˌstäk
ˈru̇t-
1
: rhizome
2
: a root or part of a root to which an aboveground plant part is grafted
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share