1
: any of a genus (Ulmus of the family Ulmaceae, the elm family) of usually large deciduous north temperate-zone trees with alternate stipulate leaves and fruit that is a samara
2
: the wood of an elm

Illustration of elm

Illustration of elm
  • elm 1

Examples of elm in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The elms didn’t last, although there are more trees along the sidewalks today, including one in that same curbside spot. Christopher Bonanos, Curbed, 17 Oct. 2024 Fall is the best time to prune elms; elm bark beetles do not fly in autumn. Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Oct. 2024 Early settlers gave Topeka its nickname upon observing its sunlit rolling hills and autumn elms. Jamie Siebrase, The Denver Post, 6 Oct. 2024 The landscape also includes 1,000 bamboo plants from six different species and hundreds of additional trees ranging from small 10-foot trees to 30-foot elms. Haadiza Ogwude, The Enquirer, 1 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for elm 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English; akin to Old High German elme elm, Latin ulmus

First Known Use

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of elm was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near elm

Cite this Entry

“Elm.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/elm. Accessed 24 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

elm

noun
1
: any of a genus of large deciduous trees that have toothed leaves and nearly circular one-seeded winged fruits and are often grown as shade trees
especially : american elm
2
: the wood of an elm

More from Merriam-Webster on elm

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!