tulip tree

noun

1

: a tall North American timber tree (Liriodendron tulipifera) of the magnolia family having large greenish-yellow tulip-shaped flowers and soft white wood used especially for cabinetwork and woodenware

called also tulip poplar, yellow poplar

2

: any of various trees other than the tulip tree with tulip-shaped flowers

Examples of tulip tree in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

According to American Hardwood, the tulip trees that make up the light, soft wood with streaks of color known as tulipwood, are grown exclusively in North America, including in Michigan. —Jamie L. Lareau, Detroit Free Press, 5 Nov. 2024

One tree that's particularly good at ridding the air of carbon is the tulip tree, which consists of two species: Liriodendron tulipifera, which proliferates in North America, and Liriodendron chinense, which thrives in central and southern China. —Michael Franco, New Atlas, 31 July 2024

Elliott suggests a tulip tree, which will grow up to 50 feet tall and produce yellow flowers that attract pollinators and lightning bugs. —Bishop Sand, Washington Post, 6 July 2024

The new set of trees that were planted a few weeks ago include hickory, hackberry, Kentucky coffee and tulip trees. —Caitlin Looby, Journal Sentinel, 24 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1705, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

tulip tree

noun

: a tall North American timber tree related to the magnolias and having large greenish yellow tulip-shaped flowers and soft white wood used especially for cabinetwork