The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition
n. The main root of a plant, usually stouter than the lateral roots and growing straight downward from the stem.
the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English
n. The root of a plant which penetrates the earth directly downward to a considerable depth without dividing.
The Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia
n. In botany, the main root of a plant, which grows vigorously downward to a considerable depth, giving off lateral roots in acropetal succession. See cut under root.
WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
n. something that provides an important central source for growth or development
n. (botany) main root of a plant growing straight downward from the stem
Word Usage
"Tepary beans’ taproot is twice as long as common beans’ (Phaseolus vulgaris), which allows teparies to efficiently take advantage of even small amounts of soil moisture."