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

The brand’s high-quality wood edge-grain board has long been a top pick for the best wooden cutting board at Epicurious, but test kitchen coordinator Inés Anguiano prefers the curved reversible maple cutting board. —Alaina Chou, Bon Appétit, 17 Sep. 2024

The maple chicken funnel cake and al pastor pineapple are particularly intriguing. —Erin Alberty, Axios, 10 Sep. 2024

More than 2,000 customers just bought this artificial tree with LED lights and orange maple leaves. —Isabel Garcia, Peoplemag, 8 Sep. 2024

Autumn is a bit quieter, but equally spectacular when the fall foliage lights up the landscape with crimson maples and golden Aspens. —Jen Murphy, Travel + Leisure, 5 Sep. 2024

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