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Definition of lotus root
lotus root
Plural:lotus roots
lotus root Lexical Profile
CEFR
B2
Grade
7
Tier
2
Usage
Rare
• noun
1
The edible, tubular rhizome of the lotus plant, characterized by lengthwise air canals that form a distinctive lacelike pattern when sliced crosswise, commonly used in Asian cuisines.
Example
"After peeling and slicing the crisp lotus root, she added it to the savory pork rib soup."
Synonyms
View all synonyms for lotus rootWord Nuance & Usage
Although commonly called a root, it is botanically a rhizome (an underground stem), though it functions and is prepared identically to root vegetables in culinary contexts.
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
A compound of 'lotus' (from Latin 'lotus', derived from Greek 'lōtos') and 'root' (from Old English 'rōt'). Used to describe the edible underground stem of Nelumbo nucifera.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.
180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Lotus root. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 14, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/lotus root