stem
1the ascending axis of a plant, whether above or below ground, which ordinarily grows in an opposite direction to the root or descending axis.
the stalk that supports a leaf, flower, or fruit.
a cut flower: We bought roses at the flower market for 50¢ a stem.
a stalk of bananas.
something resembling or suggesting a leaf or flower stalk.
a long, slender part: the stem of a tobacco pipe.
the slender, vertical part of a goblet, wineglass, etc., between the bowl and the base.
Informal. a drinking glass having a stem.
the handle of a spoon.
a projection from the rim of a watch, having on its end a knob for winding the watch.
the circular rod in some locks about which the key fits and rotates.
the rod or spindle by which a valve is operated from outside.
the stock or line of descent of a family; ancestry or pedigree.
Grammar. the underlying form, often consisting of a root plus an affix, to which the inflectional endings of a word are added, as tend-, the stem in Latin tendere “to stretch,” the root of which is ten-.: Compare base1 (def. 19), theme (def. 5).
Music. the vertical line forming part of a note.
stems, Slang. the legs of a human being.
the main or relatively thick stroke of a letter in printing.
to remove the stem from (a leaf, fruit, etc.): Stem the cherries before cooking.
to arise or originate: This project stems from last week's lecture.
Origin of stem
1Other words from stem
- stemless, adjective
- stemlike, adjective
Other definitions for stem (2 of 6)
to stop, check, or restrain.
to dam up; stop the flow of (a stream, river, or the like).
to tamp, plug, or make tight, as a hole or joint.
Skiing. to maneuver (a ski or skis) in executing a stem.
to stanch (bleeding).
Skiing. to execute a stem.
Skiing. the act or instance of a skier pushing the heel of one or both skis outward so that the heels are far apart, as in making certain turns or slowing down.
Origin of stem
2Other definitions for stem (3 of 6)
to make headway against (a tide, current, gale, etc.).
to make progress against (any opposition).
Origin of stem
3Other definitions for stem (4 of 6)
(at the bow of a vessel) an upright into which the side timbers or plates are jointed.
the forward part of a vessel (often opposed to stern).
Origin of stem
4Other definitions for stem (5 of 6)
to arrange the loading of (a merchant vessel) within a specified time.
Origin of stem
5Other definitions for STEM (6 of 6)
science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, considered as a group of academic or career fields (often used attributively): degree programs in STEM disciplines;teaching STEM in high school.
Origin of STEM
6- See also STEAM.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use stem in a sentence
In some ways the emerging age of inheritance stems from the success Americans enjoyed over the past half century.
The investigation stems from Dec. 2013 charges that 25 Russian diplomats allegedly tried to obtain fraudulent Medicaid benefits.
Perhaps his reluctance stems from the fact that he has only tenuous connections to Hungary these days.
In Hands of Hungarian Artist, Jewish Home Movies of the ’30s a Warning of Coming Holocaust | Daniel Genis | October 25, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTPart of the apparent panic stems from the different ways countries disseminate their information.
The lack of love likely stems from DeMaio's silence on Proposition 8.
No Shaking Sexual Harassment Allegations for Gay GOP House Hopeful | Olivia Nuzzi | October 12, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
On certain of the stems the fertile cone appears and the spores are ripened about June, after which the process withers.
How to Know the Ferns | S. Leonard BastinWith the dispersal of the spores the cone shrivels up, and then the stems starts to send out green branches.
How to Know the Ferns | S. Leonard BastinSometimes the stems are quite bare; on other occasions they are partly branched; in any case the branches are short.
How to Know the Ferns | S. Leonard BastinThe flower stems on the American varieties are much longer than those of European tobaccos and also larger.
Tobacco; Its History, Varieties, Culture, Manufacture and Commerce | E. R. Billings.When these plants are full two feet high, the top of the stems are broken off, to make the leaves grow thicker and broader.
Tobacco; Its History, Varieties, Culture, Manufacture and Commerce | E. R. Billings.
British Dictionary definitions for stem (1 of 3)
/ (stɛm) /
the main axis of a plant, which bears the leaves, axillary buds, and flowers and contains a hollow cylinder of vascular tissue
any similar subsidiary structure in such plants that bears a flower, fruit, or leaf
a corresponding structure in algae and fungi
any long slender part, such as the hollow part of a tobacco pipe that lies between the bit and the bowl, or the support between the base and the bowl of a wineglass, goblet, etc
a banana stalk with several bunches attached
the main line of descent or branch of a family
a round pin in some locks on which a socket in the end of a key fits and about which it rotates
any projecting feature of a component: a shank or cylindrical pin or rod, such as the pin that carries the winding knob on a watch
linguistics the form of a word that remains after removal of all inflectional affixes; the root of a word, esp as occurring together with a thematic element: Compare root 1 (def. 9)
the main, usually vertical, stroke of a letter or of a musical note such as a minim
electronics the tubular glass section projecting from the base of a light bulb or electronic valve, on which the filament or electrodes are mounted
the main upright timber or structure at the bow of a vessel
the very forward end of a vessel (esp in the phrase from stem to stern)
(intr usually foll by from) to be derived; originate: the instability stems from the war
(tr) to make headway against (a tide, wind, etc)
(tr) to remove or disengage the stem or stems from
(tr) to supply (something) with a stem or stems
Origin of stem
1Derived forms of stem
- stemlike, adjective
- stemmer, noun
British Dictionary definitions for stem (2 of 3)
/ (stɛm) /
(tr) to restrain or stop (the flow of something) by or as if by damming up
(tr) to pack tightly or stop up
skiing to manoeuvre (a ski or skis), as in performing a stem
skiing a technique in which the heel of one ski or both skis is forced outwards from the direction of movement in order to slow down or turn
Origin of stem
2Derived forms of stem
- stemmer, noun
British Dictionary definitions for Stem (3 of 3)
/ (stɛm) /
die Stem (di) the South African national anthem until 1991, when part of it was incorporated into the current anthem, Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika: See Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika
Origin of Stem
3Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Scientific definitions for stem
[ stĕm ]
The main, often long or slender part of a plant that usually grows upward above the ground and supports other parts, such as branches and leaves. Plants have evolved a number of tissue arrangements in the stem. Seedless vascular plants (such as mosses and ferns) have primary vascular tissue in an inner core, a cylindrical ring, or individual strands scattered amid the ground tissue. In eudicots, magnoliids, and conifers, the stem develops a continuous cylindrical layer or a ring of separate bundles of vascular tissue (including secondary vascular tissue) embedded in the ground tissue. In monocots and some herbaceous eudicots, individual strands of primary vascular tissue are scattered in the ground tissue.
A slender stalk supporting or connecting another plant part, such as a leaf or flower.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Other Idioms and Phrases with stem
In addition to the idiom beginning with stem
- stem the tide
- stem to stern
also see:
- from soup to nuts (stem to stern)
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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