maple

noun

ma·​ple ˈmā-pəl 

: any of a genus (Acer of the family Sapindaceae, the soapberry family) of chiefly deciduous trees or shrubs with opposite leaves and a fruit of two united samaras

also : the hard light-colored close-grained wood of a maple used especially for flooring and furniture

Examples of maple in a Sentence

The maple leaf is an emblem of Canada.

a table made of maple

Recent Examples on the Web

Grandfather John, who everyone called Bucky, had around 200 maple trees on his property. —Peter Baugh, The Athletic, 23 Jan. 2025

We are surrounded by trees: sycamore, lemon, pomegranate, orange, cypress, elm, maple, and oak. —Ali Martin, The Christian Science Monitor, 12 Dec. 2024

The Telecaster—which sports a blonde lacquer finish, ash body, and maple neck with rosewood fingerboard—is considered to be in very good condition. —Tori Latham, Robb Report, 16 Jan. 2025

Young trees and those with thin bark, like maples and many fruit trees, are sensitive to alternating periods of freezing and thawing which cause cracks to form as the bark swells and contracts. —Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 4 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English mapul-; akin to Old Norse mǫpurr maple

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing maple

• bird's-eye maple
• hard maple
• Japanese maple
• maple sugar
• maple syrup
• Norway maple
• red maple
• rock maple
• silver maple
• sugar maple
• tiger maple
• vine maple

Kids Definition

maple

noun

ma·​ple ˈmā-pəl 

: any of a group of trees having deeply notched opposite leaves, dry fruits with two wings, and hard light-colored wood and including some from which maple syrup and maple sugar are obtained

also : the wood of a maple