: any of a genus (Ulmus of the family Ulmaceae, the elm family) of usually large deciduous north temperate-zone trees with alternate stipulate leaves and fruit that is a samara
2
: the wood of an elm
Illustration of elm
elm 1
Examples of elm in a Sentence
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Clients also tend to want giant river birches, red maples, elms, and Japanese zelkovas.—
Ben Kesslen,
Curbed,
29 June 2026 Another Beverly resident, Stephanie Piniuta, had an 85-foot elm tree crash onto her house during the storms two weeks ago.—
Tara Molina,
CBS News,
25 June 2026 But now, with July 4 just weeks away, the county will no longer have the elm tree that was a cornerstone of its plans, according to Pierog.—
Molly Morrow,
Chicago Tribune,
16 June 2026 This woodland oasis surrounds a historic 1812 house featuring ornamental shrubs, perennials, apple trees, and an American elm.—
Staff Report,
Hartford Courant,
6 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for elm
Word History
Etymology
Middle English, from Old English; akin to Old High German elme elm, Latin ulmus
First Known Use
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of elm was
before the 12th century