sapling

noun

sap·​ling ˈsa-pliŋ How to pronounce sapling (audio)
-plən
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
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
But why sit indoors when there were hawks, and bears, and stars, and even an extremely rare American chestnut sapling to observe outside? Brienne Walsh, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024 Yew saplings can continue growing for a thousand years or more. Melvin Backman, Quartz, 21 Oct. 2024 Mindy will also host long lunches for children from Cabbage Tree Island, a small First Nations community on the NSW north coast where her grandmother lived in a mission, and bring at-risk Indigenous youth to the property to plant native saplings. Riley Wilson, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Oct. 2024 Grow Monrovia, a nonprofit community nursery and gardens on the grounds of the Maryknoll Sisters retirement home, is providing free oak saplings to residents of Foothills communities from Pasadena to Glendora on Oct. 7, 16, 21 and 28. Jeanette Marantos, Los Angeles Times, 26 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for sapling 

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of sapling was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near sapling

Cite this Entry

“Sapling.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sapling. Accessed 18 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

sapling

noun
sap·​ling ˈsap-liŋ How to pronounce sapling (audio)
: a young tree

More from Merriam-Webster on sapling

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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