sycamore

noun

syc·​a·​more ˈsi-kə-ˌmȯr 

1

or less commonly sycomore

ˈsi-kə-ˌmȯr 

: a fig tree (Ficus sycomorus) of Africa and the Middle East that is the sycamore of Scripture and has edible fruit similar but inferior to the common fig

2

: a Eurasian maple (Acer pseudoplatanus) with long racemes of showy yellowish-green flowers that is widely planted as a shade tree

3

: plane entry 4

especially : a very large spreading tree (Platanus occidentalis) chiefly of the eastern and central U.S. with 3- to 5-lobed broadly ovate leaves

Examples of sycamore in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Beyond the sycamore trees that, during my autumn visit, were starting to turn gold and copper, the Sterrekopje Healing Farm resort felt like something out of a fairy tale. —Chris Wallace, Travel + Leisure, 19 Feb. 2025

The streets are lined with sycamore trees, the city is remarkably clean, and the architecture is stunning. —Rebecca Deurlein, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2025

The duo took cues from the landscape’s grand baobab, sycamore fig, and shepherd trees to craft the property’s architecture, such as the expansive, towering dining area. —Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 17 Jan. 2025

The smoke and the smells from the pit drew neighbors and BBQ lovers from miles away to eat off a makeshift table made of oak planks nailed to a large sycamore tree in his backyard. —Stephanie Gallman Jordan, Southern Living, 24 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English sikamour, sicomore, borrowed from Anglo-French sicamour, borrowed from Latin sȳcomorus, borrowed from Greek sȳkómoros "sycamore fig" (sȳkómoron "fruit of the sycamore fig"), probably alteration by folk etymology of sȳkámīnos sycamine, with the ending conformed to móron "black mulberry, blackberry" — more at mulberry

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for sycamore

• albacore
• alongshore
• antiwar
• anymore
• blastopore
• carnivore
• commodore
• dinosaur
• evermore
• furthermore
• guarantor
• herbivore

Kids Definition

sycamore

noun

syc·​a·​more ˈsik-ə-ˌmō(ə)r 

-ˌmȯ(ə)r

1

: a Eurasian maple with yellowish green flowers that is widely planted as a shade tree

2

: a large spreading tree of the eastern and central U.S. that has light-brown bark peeling off in thin flakes and small round brown fruits hanging on long stalks