crab apple

noun

: any of various wild or cultivated trees (genus Malus) that are cultivars or relatives of the cultivated apple and that produce small sour fruit

also : the fruit

Examples of crab apple in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

At that time, the removal of 10 crab apple trees that the late horticulturist’s Bunny Mellon had included in her transformation of the Rose Garden under former first lady Jacqueline Kennedy’s watchful eyes prompted much criticism. — Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 20 Aug. 2026

Flowers like tree blossoms (lilac, apple, crab apple, pear), violas, marigolds, dahlias and nasturtiums typically bloom first, followed by perennial herbs like thyme, oregano, and chives. — Sara Rosenthal, Denver Post, 27 May 2026

Desserts might include panna cotta with crab apple jelly, blackberry sorbet, and caramelized white chocolate. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Mar. 2026

Flowering crab apples, for example, are useful small ornamental trees that offer lovely red, pink or white flowers in late spring and autumn fruits that feed wildlife. — Beth Botts, Chicago Tribune, 1 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

crab entry 3

First Known Use

1680, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for crab apple

• appal
• chapel
• dapple
• grapple
• pineapple

Kids Definition

crab apple

noun

: any of several cultivated or wild trees related to the apple tree and producing a small sour fruit

also : the fruit