1
: a young tree
specifically
: one not over four inches (about 10 centimeters) in diameter at breast height
2
Examples of sapling in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Planting a peach tree from seed is free and young saplings grow quickly, making a great project for beginning gardeners.
—
Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 4 Sep. 2024
Cover your saplings in mesh or netting to keep the insects out.
—Liam Gravvat, USA TODAY, 24 Apr. 2024
Even one storm could end a small sapling’s life.
75° F
140° F
Coral Gables
Hialeah
Under Levine Cava, Miami-Dade has upped its tree-planting and maintenance budget from $1 million in fiscal year 2020 to $4 million in fiscal years 2023 and 2024.
—Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 24 July 2024
But those trees are still slender saplings, each throwing enough shade for maybe a chihuahua.
—Emma Marris, The Atlantic, 2 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for sapling 
Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 4 Sep. 2024
Cover your saplings in mesh or netting to keep the insects out.
—Liam Gravvat, USA TODAY, 24 Apr. 2024
Even one storm could end a small sapling’s life.
75° F
140° F
Coral Gables
Hialeah
Under Levine Cava, Miami-Dade has upped its tree-planting and maintenance budget from $1 million in fiscal year 2020 to $4 million in fiscal years 2023 and 2024.
—Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 24 July 2024
But those trees are still slender saplings, each throwing enough shade for maybe a chihuahua.
—Emma Marris, The Atlantic, 2 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for sapling
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sapling.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near sapling
Cite this Entry
“Sapling.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sapling. Accessed 1 Oct. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
sapling
noun
sap·ling
ˈsap-liŋ 
: a young tree
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