# stool

/ˈstuɫ/ (US) · /stˈuːl/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/stool
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. a seat

noun · CEFR B1

a simple seat for one person that has no back or armrests.

For teachers: a backless and armless seat, typically supported by three or four legs or a central pedestal.

- He sat on a high wooden stool at the bar and ordered a coffee.
- The artist preferred a rotating stool while working, as it allowed him to pivot easily between his canvas and the palette table.

### 2. medical waste

noun · CEFR B2 · Formal · Technical

a formal or medical word for solid waste that leaves the body.

For teachers: a piece of solid waste discharged from the body; excrement.

- The doctor asked the patient to provide a stool sample for the lab test.
- Changes in stool consistency or frequency can be early clinical indicators of various gastrointestinal disorders.

Usage: Often used in the singular to refer to the substance or a specific sample.

### 3. plant base

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

the base of a plant or tree that has been cut back to the ground to help it grow new shoots.

For teachers: the base of a plant or tree that has been cut back to ground level to encourage the production of new shoots or suckers.

- The gardener cut the shrub down to a stool to encourage fresh growth in the spring.
- In traditional coppicing, the tree is reduced to a stool, from which multiple thin poles emerge over the following seasons.

### 4. to produce new shoots

verb · CEFR C2 · Technical

when a plant grows new stems or shoots from its base.

For teachers: to produce new shoots or suckers from the base or a stump; to tiller.

- After the winter pruning, the old roses began to stool vigorously.
- Certain cereal crops are valued for their ability to stool effectively, increasing the total yield per individual seed planted.

## Examples

- He sat on a tall stool at the bar.
- The doctor asked for a stool sample to check for signs of infection in the digestive system.
- While the wooden stool provided a rustic aesthetic to the kitchen, its lack of back support made it uncomfortable for sitting during long meals.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.