1
2
: the dried rhizome and roots of any of various rhubarbs (such as Rheum officinale and R. palmatum) grown chiefly in temperate parts of China and used in folk medicine especially as a laxative, diuretic, and ulcer treatment
3
: a heated dispute or controversy
Synonyms
Examples of rhubarb in a Sentence
The coach got into a rhubarb with the umpire.
a basketball coach whose ranting rhubarbs with officials are the stuff of legend
Recent Examples on the Web
Sweetens the custard filling to balance the tartness of the rhubarb.
—
Ann Taylor Pittman, Southern Living, 8 May 2024
Peanut butter pie, Boston cream pie and whoopie pie are among the staples, while specialties like strawberry rhubarb pie are available on a seasonal basis.
—Philip Freeman, Charlotte Observer, 7 May 2024
Spring fruits like apricots, strawberries, and rhubarb infuse a vibrant sweetness to desserts and savory items alike.
—Kara Peeler, Sunset Magazine, 1 May 2024
Aperol is an Italian aperitif made with bitter orange, rhubarb, and other flavors.
—Michelle Darrisaw, Southern Living, 11 Apr. 2024
Prepare the filling: Toss the rhubarb cubes with sugar and flour.
—David Tanis, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Mar. 2024
Stored unwashed in the fridge, either in an open food-grade bag or loosely wrapped in foil, rhubarb should last a week or two.
—Aaron Hutcherson, Washington Post, 1 Apr. 2024
Others may be more inclined toward the seasonal dishes that await us on a springtime spread: rhubarb pies, cream cake topped with fresh fruit, creatively decorated Easter egg cookies, and—of course, carrot cake.
—Sunset Magazine, 25 Mar. 2024
In spring that means a first course of yellowtail and sea buckthorn followed by scallop and rhubarb, cod and apple, duck and broccoli rabe, and a finale of almond and maple.
—Madeline Weinfield, Travel + Leisure, 22 Mar. 2024
Ann Taylor Pittman, Southern Living, 8 May 2024
Peanut butter pie, Boston cream pie and whoopie pie are among the staples, while specialties like strawberry rhubarb pie are available on a seasonal basis.
—Philip Freeman, Charlotte Observer, 7 May 2024
Spring fruits like apricots, strawberries, and rhubarb infuse a vibrant sweetness to desserts and savory items alike.
—Kara Peeler, Sunset Magazine, 1 May 2024
Aperol is an Italian aperitif made with bitter orange, rhubarb, and other flavors.
—Michelle Darrisaw, Southern Living, 11 Apr. 2024
Prepare the filling: Toss the rhubarb cubes with sugar and flour.
—David Tanis, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Mar. 2024
Stored unwashed in the fridge, either in an open food-grade bag or loosely wrapped in foil, rhubarb should last a week or two.
—Aaron Hutcherson, Washington Post, 1 Apr. 2024
Others may be more inclined toward the seasonal dishes that await us on a springtime spread: rhubarb pies, cream cake topped with fresh fruit, creatively decorated Easter egg cookies, and—of course, carrot cake.
—Sunset Magazine, 25 Mar. 2024
In spring that means a first course of yellowtail and sea buckthorn followed by scallop and rhubarb, cod and apple, duck and broccoli rabe, and a finale of almond and maple.
—Madeline Weinfield, Travel + Leisure, 22 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'rhubarb.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near rhubarb
Cite this Entry
“Rhubarb.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rhubarb. Accessed 15 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
rhubarb
noun
rhu·barb
ˈrü-ˌbärb 
1
: a plant related to buckwheat and having large green leaves with thick juicy pink or red stems that are used for food
2
: a heated dispute or argument
Medical Definition
rhubarb
noun
rhu·barb
ˈrü-ˌbärb
1
: any of several plants of the genus Rheum having large leaves with thick succulent petioles often used as food
2
: 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
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