Standard Lemma guide

rooting

noun · verb · 8 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • CMU ARPABET: R UW1 T IH0 NG Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.

1

noun

Meaning 1

A system of roots; a secure attachment (in something); a firm grounding.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: countable, uncountable

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

The process of forming roots or taking roots.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: countable, uncountable

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

noun

Meaning 3

A method of creating a new plant by getting part of an existing plant to form roots.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: countable, uncountable

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

4

noun

Meaning 4

A hole formed by a pig when it roots in the ground.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: countable, uncountable

Examples

  • These rootings may be as deep as two and a half feet, depending on how large a pig has been working.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

5

noun

Meaning 5

The reflex a baby makes when hungry and seeking milk.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: countable, uncountable

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

6

noun

Meaning 6

In computer security, the act of gaining superuser access to a computer system.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: countable, uncountable

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

7

verb

Meaning 7

present participle and gerund of root

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: form-of, gerund, participle, present

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

8

noun

Meaning 8

the process of putting forth roots and beginning to grow

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: growth, growing, maturation, development, ontogeny, ontogenesis

History

Etymology

From Middle English rotynge (“rooting”); equivalent to root + -ing.

Across languages

Translations

6 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • French: enracinement — The process of forming roots.
  • French: radication — The process of forming roots.
  • Italian: radicazione — The process of forming roots.
  • Russian: корнеобразова́ние (korneobrazovánije) — The process of forming roots.
  • Spanish: enraizamiento — The process of forming roots.
  • Māori: kūtorotanga — A hole formed by a pig when it roots in the ground.