Stem

A stem is the main body or stalk of a plant or a similar supporting structure in other organisms or objects. It acts as a structural support, holding up the leaves, flowers, and fruits, and also serves as a conduit for transporting water and nutrients from the roots to the rest of the plant, and the sugars produced in the leaves to the roots. The term 'stem' can also be used metaphorically to describe the origin or main part of something like a problem or a word. It can also define an isolated musical or audio track.

Stem meaning with examples

• The strong oak tree has a thick stem that supports the heavy branches and leaves. This robust stem allowed it to withstand strong winds during the storm without damage. The stem of the tree is vital for transport and support.
• The florist carefully cut the rose from its stem before arranging it in the vase. The stem was trimmed just right to fit the arrangement. She thought the green stem really contrasted with the vibrant red petals.
• The scientists are studying the stem cells in order to help understand how they help with the development of different systems in an organism. These cells are being utilized for various medical studies that have made many scientific breakthroughs.
• The committee's report traced the problem back to its stem; an initial misunderstanding in communications. This miscommunication was the main point that the committee had to start with to resolve the issue. It was the genesis.
• For the remix, the producer isolated the vocal stem and the drum stem to create a whole new version. It was very useful to have such a large collection of stems to work from. The flexibility of using stems is remarkable.