Stem
/stɛm/
Definitions
4 meaningsThe main body or stalk of a plant, or a similar structure.
/stɛm/
The main body or stalk of a plant or similar structure.
The gardener carefully pruned the stems of the tomato plants.
💡 Simply: Imagine a flower – the stem is the part that holds the flower head up. It's like the body or main part of something.
👶 For kids: The part of a plant that grows up from the ground and holds the leaves and flowers.
More Examples
The stem of the wine glass was delicate and thin.
The stem of the flower was broken by the wind.
How It's Used
"The stem of the rosebush was covered in thorns."
"The stem of the brain controls basic life functions."
A part or component of something; the main body or support.
/stɛm/
A part or component of something (often the part that holds everything else).
The valve stem allows us to control the flow of water.
💡 Simply: Think of the stem as a central part or the 'base'. It's like the handle of a mug or the part of a pen you hold.
👶 For kids: The main part of something, like the handle on a cup.
More Examples
The stem of the problem was lack of communication.
He twisted the valve stem to turn off the water.
How It's Used
"The valve stem controls the flow of fluid."
"The separate stems of the musical recording are used to remix the song."
To stop or slow the progress or flow of something.
/stɛm/
To stop or hold back (the flow of something).
The authorities struggled to stem the spread of misinformation.
💡 Simply: Imagine trying to stop a river from overflowing – you're trying to 'stem' the flow. It means to hold something back or slow it down.
👶 For kids: To stop something from happening, like trying to stop a river from flowing.
More Examples
She used a tourniquet to stem the flow of blood.
They attempted to stem the tide of public disapproval.
How It's Used
"The government tried to stem the tide of rising crime."
"The doctor quickly acted to stem the bleeding."
To originate or arise from something.
/stɛm/
To originate from something.
Their disagreement stemmed from a difference in opinion.
💡 Simply: Think of where something comes from. Like saying 'the argument stems from that incident' – it means the argument started because of that incident. It is the root of the problem.
👶 For kids: To start from something, like a tree grows from a seed.
More Examples
The river stems from a mountain spring.
The problem stems from a lack of funding.
How It's Used
"His argument stems from the flawed data."
"The problem stems from a misunderstanding of the concepts."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Idioms & expressions
stem the tide
To slow down or prevent the growth or spread of something, often something negative.
"The government took measures to stem the tide of inflation."
From Old English *stemm*, akin to Old Norse *stafn* 'stem, prow', Proto-Germanic *stam-*. Originally referring to the stalk of a plant.
The word 'stem' has been used to describe plant stalks and related structures since the Old English period, gradually expanding to cover other supporting structures and abstract concepts of origin or control.
Memory tip
Think of the stem as the 'spine' of a plant, holding it up.
Word Origin
"to stand; trunk, stalk"