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Definition of kombu
kombu
/ˈkɑːm.buː/
kom · bu
Plural:kombu
kombu Lexical Profile
CEFR
C1
Grade
9
Tier
3
Usage
Rare
kombu Game Scores & Validity
Scrabble US
Scrabble UK
WWF
Wordle Guess
• noun
1
A type of edible kelp from the family Laminariaceae, widely consumed in East Asian cuisine and used prominently as a foundational ingredient for making dashi (Japanese soup stock).
Example
"To build a deep umami flavor in the broth, she gently steeped a large piece of dried kombu in warm water."
2
The large brown marine alga itself, predominantly of the genus Saccharina or Laminaria, which grows in cold, nutrient-rich coastal waters.
Example
"Marine biologists studied the extensive beds of wild kombu growing off the coast of Hokkaido to assess the impact of rising ocean temperatures."
Synonyms
View all synonyms for kombu• Rhymes for kombu
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed from Japanese 昆布 (konbu), meaning 'kelp', which may ultimately derive from the Ainu language or Middle Chinese.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.
180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Kombu. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 13, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/kombu