tree of life

noun phrase

: a conventionalized and often ornate representation of a tree used as a decorative motif

Examples of tree of life 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.

The findings have led some researchers to suggest that RNA may be a molecular lingua franca that transcends traditional taxonomic boundaries and can therefore encode messages that remain intelligible across the tree of life. —

Annie Melchor, WIRED, 13 Oct. 2024 This metal fireplace screen, $109 at Amazon, features a detailed tree of life design at the front. —

Nora Colomer, Fox News, 9 Sep. 2024 Scientists report patterns of DNA change across the bird tree of life associated with the sudden, fiery end of the Cretaceous period, in a study published July 31 in the journal Science Advances. —

Lauren Leffer, Popular Science, 31 July 2024 This indicates that light production may give organisms from across the tree of life a fitness advantage that improves their chances of survival. —

Discover Magazine, 19 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for tree of life

Word History

First Known Use

1880, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of tree of life was in 1880

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Tree of life.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tree%20of%20life. Accessed 16 Nov. 2024.

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