rhubarb

noun rhu·barb \ˈrü-ˌbärb\

: a plant with large green leaves and with thick pink or red stems that are cooked and used in pies, jams, etc.

: an angry argument

Full Definition of RHUBARB

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

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

: a heated dispute or controversy

See rhubarb defined for English-language learners

See rhubarb defined for kids

Origin of RHUBARB

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

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to RHUBARB

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

Rhymes with RHUBARB

bicarb

RHUBARB Defined for Kids

rhubarb

noun rhu·barb \ˈrü-ˌbärb\

Definition of RHUBARB for Kids

: the thick juicy pink or red stems of a garden plant that have a tart flavor and are used cooked especially in jams and desserts

Medical Dictionary

rhubarb

noun rhu·barb \ˈrü-ˌbärb\

Medical Definition of RHUBARB

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

: 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