alder

noun

al·​der ˈȯl-dər 

: any of a genus (Alnus) of toothed-leaved trees or shrubs of the birch family that have catkins which become woody, that typically grow in cool moist ground, and that have wood used especially in turnery

also : its wood

Examples of alder in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Wild horses were rare in this part of the Jemez, but a line of large, round prints marked the place where a heavy animal had walked down the edge of the pit and into a tangle of alders. —Frank C. Hibben, Outdoor Life, 13 Feb. 2025

Her objections to the request were submitted at this week’s council session with alders expected to seek to overturn her veto at the Feb. 18 council session, which is being held on a Tuesday because of Presidents’ Day on Monday, Feb. 17. —Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 5 Feb. 2025

Flashback: Johnson pitched a $300 million property tax hike in October, but after public outcry and unanimous pushback from alders, the mayor's budget team managed to present a plan this weekend without a property tax hike. —Justin Kaufmann, Axios, 17 Dec. 2024

What's next: At least two other alders introduced similar bans in their own wards. —Monica Eng, Axios, 15 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English alor; akin to Old High German elira alder, Latin alnus

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing alder

• black alder

Rhymes for alder

• balder

Kids Definition

alder

noun

al·​der ˈȯl-dər 

: any of a genus of toothed-leaved trees or shrubs related to the birches

Biographical Definition

Alder

biographical name

Al·​der ˈäl-dər 

Kurt 1902–1958 German chemist