stem
1
[ stem ]
/ stɛm /
noun
verb (used with object), stemmed, stem·ming.
to remove the stem from (a leaf, fruit, etc.): Stem the cherries before cooking.
verb (used without object), stemmed, stem·ming.
to arise or originate: This project stems from last week's lecture.
Origin of stem
1OTHER WORDS FROM stem
stem·less, adjective stem·like, adjectiveWords nearby stem
Definition for stem (2 of 6)
stem
2
[ stem ]
/ stɛm /
verb (used with object), stemmed, stem·ming.
verb (used without object), stemmed, stem·ming.
Skiing.
to execute a stem.
noun
Skiing.
the act or instance of a skier pushing the heel of one or both skis outward so that the heels are far apart, as in making certain turns or slowing down.
Origin of stem
2
1400–50; late Middle English
stemmen < Old Norse
stemma to dam or Middle Low German
stemmen
Definition for stem (3 of 6)
stem
3
[ stem ]
/ stɛm /
verb (used with object), stemmed, stem·ming.
to make headway against (a tide, current, gale, etc.).
to make progress against (any opposition).
Origin of stem
3
First recorded in 1585–95; v. use of
stem4
Definition for stem (4 of 6)
stem
4
[ stem ]
/ stɛm /
noun Nautical.
(at the bow of a vessel) an upright into which the side timbers or plates are jointed.
the forward part of a vessel (often opposed to stern).
Origin of stem
4
before 900; continuing Old English
stefn, stemn end-timber; special use of
stem1; Middle English
stampne, stamyn(e) apparently < the cognate with Old Norse
stamn, stafn in same sense
Definition for stem (5 of 6)
stem
5
[ stem ]
/ stɛm /
verb (used with object), stemmed, stem·ming.
to arrange the loading of (a merchant vessel) within a specified time.
Origin of stem
5
1895–1900; variant of
steven to direct one's course < Old Norse
stefna to sail directly, aim, derivative of
stafn
stem4
Definition for stem (6 of 6)
STEM
[ stem ]
/ stɛm /
noun
science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, considered as a group of academic or career fields (often used attributively): degree programs in STEM disciplines; teaching STEM in high school.
Example sentences from the Web for stem
British Dictionary definitions for stem (1 of 3)
stem
1
/ (stɛm) /
noun
verb stems, stemming or stemmed
Derived forms of stem
stemlike, adjective stemmer, nounWord Origin for stem
Old English
stemn; related to Old Norse
stafn stem of a ship, German
Stamm tribe, Gothic
stōma basis, Latin
stāmen thread
British Dictionary definitions for stem (2 of 3)
stem
2
/ (stɛm) /
verb stems, stemming or stemmed
(tr)
to restrain or stop (the flow of something) by or as if by damming up
(tr)
to pack tightly or stop up
skiing
to manoeuvre (a ski or skis), as in performing a stem
noun
skiing
a technique in which the heel of one ski or both skis is forced outwards from the direction of movement in order to slow down or turn
Derived forms of stem
stemmer, nounWord Origin for stem
C15
stemmen, from Old Norse
stemma; related to Old Norse
stamr blocked, stammering, German
stemmen to prop; see
stammer
British Dictionary definitions for stem (3 of 3)
Stem
/ (stɛm) /
noun
die Stem (di)
the South African national anthem until 1991, when part of it was incorporated into the current anthem, Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika
See Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika
Word Origin for Stem
C19: from Afrikaans, the call
Medical definitions for stem
stem
[ stĕm ]
n.
A supporting structure resembling the stalk of a plant.
Scientific definitions for stem
stem
[ stĕm ]
The main, often long or slender part of a plant that usually grows upward above the ground and supports other parts, such as branches and leaves. Plants have evolved a number of tissue arrangements in the stem. Seedless vascular plants (such as mosses and ferns) have primary vascular tissue in an inner core, a cylindrical ring, or individual strands scattered amid the ground tissue. In eudicots, magnoliids, and conifers, the stem develops a continuous cylindrical layer or a ring of separate bundles of vascular tissue (including secondary vascular tissue) embedded in the ground tissue. In monocots and some herbaceous eudicots, individual strands of primary vascular tissue are scattered in the ground tissue.
A slender stalk supporting or connecting another plant part, such as a leaf or flower.
Idioms and Phrases with stem
stem