Bulb

/bʌlb/

nounBeginnerVery CommonGeneral

Definitions

2 meanings
1

The underground part of some plants, usually rounded and swollen with stored food, that produces new shoots and roots.

/bʌlb/

nounneutralBeginner
General

A rounded part of a plant

The gardener carefully planted the flower bulbs.

💡 Simply: It's the round, underground part of some plants that helps them grow.

👶 For kids: It's like a plant's sleeping bag, filled with yummy food to help it grow!

More Examples

2

The onion bulb was added to the soup.

How It's Used

Botany

"The tulip bulb was planted in the spring."

Gardening

"We need to buy some daffodil bulbs."

2

A glass container enclosing a filament or other light source used for illumination.

/bʌlb/

nounneutralBeginner
General

A glass object containing a light source

The light bulb flickered and died.

💡 Simply: It's the glass thing that makes light in a lamp.

👶 For kids: It's the light in your lamp!

More Examples

2

He replaced the old incandescent bulb with a new energy-saving one.

How It's Used

Household

"The light bulb burned out."

Technology

"LED bulbs are more energy-efficient."

Tip:Think of it as a mini-sun in your house.

From Middle English bulbe, from Old French bulbe, from Latin bulbus.

The word 'bulb' has been used in its botanical sense since at least the 14th century.

Memory tip

Think of a bulb like a tiny, underground storage unit for plants.

Base: bulb
bulpbulbe

Usage

60%Spoken
40%Written