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
This power shift in politics, media, and major business and community organizations is the taproot of rising cultural backlash among conservatives—epitomized by Trump and his movement.
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Robert A. Pape, Foreign Affairs, 23 Sep. 2024
The plant’s taproot grows throughout its life and sells for hundreds of dollars per pound, primarily to East Asian customers who consume it for health reasons.
—Justine Law, The Conversation, 13 Sep. 2024
The corrosion-resistant stainless steel blades also stay sharp, even with heavy use, and the forked hori hori tip efficiently pulls dirt away from weeds and locks onto taproots for quick removal.
—Christina Shepherd McGuire, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Aug. 2024
The taproot of the trouble is NATO enlargement, the central element of a larger strategy to move Ukraine out of Russia’s orbit and integrate it into the West.
—John Mearsheimer, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2014
See all Example Sentences for taproot 
Robert A. Pape, Foreign Affairs, 23 Sep. 2024
The plant’s taproot grows throughout its life and sells for hundreds of dollars per pound, primarily to East Asian customers who consume it for health reasons.
—Justine Law, The Conversation, 13 Sep. 2024
The corrosion-resistant stainless steel blades also stay sharp, even with heavy use, and the forked hori hori tip efficiently pulls dirt away from weeds and locks onto taproots for quick removal.
—Christina Shepherd McGuire, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Aug. 2024
The taproot of the trouble is NATO enlargement, the central element of a larger strategy to move Ukraine out of Russia’s orbit and integrate it into the West.
—John Mearsheimer, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2014
See all Example Sentences for taproot
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'taproot.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Taproot.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/taproot. Accessed 4 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
taproot
noun
tap·root
ˈtap-ˌrüt 
-ˌru̇t
: a large main root that grows straight down and gives off many smaller side roots compare fibrous root
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