American English

Definition of root verb from the Oxford Advanced American Dictionary



    , NAmE//rʊt//
    Verb Forms present simple I / you / we / they root
    he / she / it roots
    past simple rooted
    -ing form rooting
    jump to other results
    of plants
  1. 1[intransitive, transitive] root (something) to grow roots; to make or encourage a plant to grow roots
  2. search
  3. 2[intransitive] to search for something by moving things or turning things over synonym rummage root (about/around) for something pigs rooting for food Who's been rooting around in my desk? root (through something) (for something) “It must be here somewhere,” she said, rooting through the suitcase. Cats had been rooting in the garbage bags again.
  4. Phrasal Verbsroot for somebodyroot something/somebodyoutroot somebody to somethingroot somethingup
See the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary entry: root