[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/taproot/)

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# taproot

noun (a taproot, taproots)

«taproot» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. A taproot is a large main root that grows straight down into the ground, with smaller roots growing off it. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/taproot/#m1)
2. Carrots, parsnips, radishes and dandelions have taproots. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/taproot/#m2)

### In the lessons

In science lessons on plants it is compared with fibrous roots (many thin roots, like grass). A taproot anchors the plant and reaches water deep down; in carrots and beetroot it also stores food, which is why we eat it. Phrases: «a long taproot», «taproot and fibrous roots».

### Examples

- A carrot is a taproot that stores food. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/taproot/#x1)
- Dandelions are hard to pull up because of their long taproot. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/taproot/#x2)
- Grass has fibrous roots, but a carrot has a taproot. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/taproot/#x3)
- The oak tree's taproot grows deep to find water. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/taproot/#x4)
- Draw a taproot and label the side roots. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/taproot/#x5)
- Parsnips and radishes are taproots too. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/taproot/#x6)

### Note

Countable; one word (sometimes «tap root»). Opposite type: fibrous roots. A taproot is still a root, not a stem, even when we eat it.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «taproot» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/T/taproot/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«taproot» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/taproot.html) on Mova free.