tree

1 of 2

noun

ˈtrē 

plural trees

1

a

: a woody perennial plant having a single usually elongate main stem generally with few or no branches on its lower part

b

: a shrub or herb of arborescent form

rose trees

a banana tree

2

: something in the form of or resembling a tree: such as

a

: a diagram or graph that branches usually from a simple stem or vertex without forming loops or polygons

a genealogical tree

phylogenetic trees

b

: a much-branched system of channels especially in an animal body

the vascular tree

3

a(1)

: a piece of wood (such as a post or pole) usually adapted to a particular use or forming part of a structure or implement

(2)

archaic : the cross on which Jesus was crucified

b

archaic : gallows

4

: saddletree

treeless

ˈtrē-ləs 

adjective

treelike

ˈtrē-ˌlīk 

adjective

see also out of one's tree

tree

2 of 2

verb

treed; treeing

transitive verb

1

a

: to drive to or up a tree

treed by a bull

dogs treeing game

b

: to put into a position of extreme disadvantage : corner

especially : to bring to bay

2

: to furnish or fit (a shoe) with a tree

Examples of tree in a Sentence

Noun

He chopped down the tree.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

That tree can only grow at a specific elevation around the mountain, where it's evolved over millennia to thrive in that microclimate. —Jonathan Lambert, NPR, 7 Dec. 2024

The open-air property is crafted entirely from natural wood and is sandwiched between fruit trees, rainbow eucalyptus, and beautiful bamboo (all of which are easily admired via the wraparound patio). —Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 7 Dec. 2024

Verb

Allergies to tree nuts, like almonds, are among the most common food allergies in both children and adults. —Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 24 Sep. 2024

Classifying these nuts can be vital, particularly for people who have severe allergies to tree nuts. —Delaney Nothaft, USA TODAY, 10 Sep. 2023

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Old English trēow; akin to Old Norse trē tree, Greek drys, Sanskrit dāru wood

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1575, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing tree

• angelica tree
• bark up the wrong tree
• bay-rum tree
• bee tree
• big tree
• bodhi tree
• bo tree
• brown tree snake
• cacao tree
• cajeput tree
• camphor tree
• China tree
• Christmas tree
• coffee tree
• cola tree
• cucumber tree
• dead-tree
• decision tree
• family tree
• fever tree
• flame tree
• fringe tree
• gallows tree
• golden rain tree
• grass tree
• gum tree
• Joshua tree
• Judas tree
• kapok tree
• katsura tree
• Kentucky coffee tree
• kola tree
• lesser peach tree borer
• maidenhair tree
• mastic tree
• ming tree
• money tree
• olive tree
• out of one's tree
• palm tree
• Para rubber tree
• peach tree borer
• planer tree
• rain tree
• rubber tree
• service tree
• shade tree
• shea tree
• shoe tree
• silk cotton tree
• silk tree
• smoke tree
• sorrel tree
• spindle tree
• staff tree
• state tree
• strawberry tree
• tea tree
• top of the tree
• tree ear
• tree farm
• tree fern
• tree frog
• tree house
• tree hugger
• tree line
• tree-lined
• tree of heaven
• tree of life
• tree peony
• tree ring
• tree shrew
• tree sparrow
• tree surgery
• tree swallow
• tree toad
• tree tomato
• tulip tree
• tung tree
• umbrella tree
• up a gum tree
• varnish tree
• wayfaring tree
• wolf tree

Kids Definition

tree

1 of 2 noun

ˈtrē 

1

a

: a woody plant that lives for years and has a usually single tall main stem with few or no branches on its lower part

b

: a shrub or herb that has a form like a tree

rose trees

a banana tree

2

: a piece of wood (as a post or pole) put to a particular use of forming part of a structure or device

3

: something shaped like or arranged in a form like a tree

especially : a diagram or graph in branching form compare factor tree, family tree sense 2

treeless

-ləs 

adjective

treelike

-ˌlīk 

adjective

tree

2 of 2 verb

treed; treeing

1

: to drive up or as if up a tree

2

: to furnish or fit with a tree

tree an axle

Medical Definition

tree

noun

ˈtrē 

: an anatomical system or structure having many branches

the vascular tree

see biliary tree, bronchial tree, tracheobronchial tree

Biographical Definition

Tree

biographical name

ˈtrē 

Sir Herbert (Draper) Beerbohm 1853–1917 English actor-manager