rhubarb

noun

rhu·​barb ˈrü-ˌbärb 

1

a

: any of a genus (Rheum) of Asian plants of the buckwheat family having large leaves with thick petioles often used as food

also : the petioles of rhubarb

b

: the tart, succulent, usually pink or red petioles of rhubarb used especially in pies and preserves

2

: the dried rhizome and roots of any of various rhubarbs (such as Rheum officinale and R. palmatum) grown chiefly in temperate parts of China and used in folk medicine especially as a laxative, diuretic, and ulcer treatment

3

: a heated dispute or controversy

Synonyms

• altercation
• argle-bargle [chiefly British]
• argument
• argy-bargy [chiefly British]
• battle royal
• bicker
• brawl
• contretemps
• controversy
• cross fire
• disagreement
• dispute
• donnybrook
• falling-out
• fight
• hassle
• imbroglio
• kickup
• misunderstanding
• quarrel
• row
• scrap
• set-to
• spat
• squabble
• tiff
• wrangle

Examples of rhubarb in a Sentence

The coach got into a rhubarb with the umpire.

a basketball coach whose ranting rhubarbs with officials are the stuff of legend

Recent Examples on the Web

Stay at the hotel or book a table at its restaurant, the Singular Patagonia, for dishes featuring local guanaco (a relative of the llama), scallops, and rhubarb. —AFAR Media, 23 Dec. 2024

To reduce your risk of kidney stones: Avoid high-oxalate foods: These include foods like spinach, chard, rhubarb, potatoes, beets, bran, chocolate, and nuts that contribute to the formation of calcium oxalate stones.18 Cut back on sodium: Sodium contributes to stone formation. —Kashif J. Piracha, Verywell Health, 1 Jan. 2025

Fibrous veggies Celery, artichokes, rhubarb, corn husks, edamame pods, and kale are all no-go foods for a garbage disposal. —Julia Mitchem, Architectural Digest, 30 Dec. 2024

The juicy flanker features purple rhubarb accord, golden woods amber accord and a base of vanilla bean extract for floral sweetness. —Celia Shatzman, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English rubarbe, from Anglo-French reubarbe, from Medieval Latin reubarbarum, alteration of rha barbarum, literally, barbarian rhubarb

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

rhubarb

noun

rhu·​barb ˈrü-ˌbärb 

1

: a plant related to buckwheat and having large green leaves with thick juicy pink or red stems that are used for food

2

: a heated dispute or argument

Medical Definition

rhubarb

noun

rhu·​barb ˈrü-ˌbärb 

1

: any of several plants of the genus Rheum having large leaves with thick succulent petioles often used as food

2

: the dried rhizome and roots of any of several rhubarbs (especially Rheum officinale and R. palmatum) grown in China and Tibet and used as a purgative and stomachic