aspen

noun

as·​pen ˈa-spən 

: any of several poplars (especially Populus tremula of Europe and P. tremuloides and P. grandidentata of North America) with leaves that flutter in the lightest wind because of their flattened petioles

Examples of aspen in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The lip of the canyon gave way to a gently dropping swale of lush grass, aspens, and large oak trees. —Frank C. Hibben, Outdoor Life, 13 Feb. 2025

The Canyon de Chelly National Monument, on the Navajo Nation in northeastern Arizona, encompasses 83,000-odd acres of sandstone peaks and plateaus towering above waterways dotted with pines, junipers, aspens and cottonwoods. —Alastair Lee Bitsóí, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 Feb. 2025

Elk are bugling in Rocky Mountain National Park, juicy apples are waiting to be picked at Colorado orchards and golden yellow aspen leaves are dancing in the high country — sure signs that autumn has officially arrived. —Sarah Kuta, The Denver Post, 1 Oct. 2024

Peak time to see the aspens is late September to mid-October. —Roger Naylor, The Arizona Republic, 18 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, of an aspen, from asp aspen, from Old English æspe; akin to Old High German aspa aspen, Russian osina

First Known Use

1593, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing aspen

• quaking aspen

Kids Definition

aspen

noun

as·​pen ˈas-pən 

: any of several poplars with leaves that flutter in the lightest breeze

Geographical Definition

Aspen

geographical name

As·​pen ˈa-spən 

resort city in west central Colorado population 6658