maple

noun

ma·​ple ˈmā-pəl 

: any of a genus (Acer of the family Sapindaceae, the soapberry family) of chiefly deciduous trees or shrubs with opposite leaves and a fruit of two united samaras

also : the hard light-colored close-grained wood of a maple used especially for flooring and furniture

Examples of maple in a Sentence

The maple leaf is an emblem of Canada.

a table made of maple

Recent Examples on the Web

Tap trees in the sugar bush and learn the art of maple sugaring, the history of Native American and pioneer traditions and techniques. —Luann Gibbs, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025

Decorators in the pre-millennium decade favored light wood—especially in pine, oak, or maple—because these finishes made spaces feel more airy and casual. —Lauren Thomann, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 July 2025

Scales attack a variety of plants including woody ornamentals such as boxwoods, camellias and hollies, and maples. —Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 25 June 2025

Products—such as Kenko, four-pound minimalist weights made of Canadian maple—appear with great fanfare and then are rarely spoken of again. —Xochitl Gonzalez, The Atlantic, 12 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English mapul-; akin to Old Norse mǫpurr maple

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing maple

• bird's-eye maple
• hard maple
• Japanese maple
• maple sugar
• maple syrup
• Norway maple
• red maple
• rock maple
• silver maple
• sugar maple
• tiger maple
• vine maple

Rhymes for maple

• papal
• staple

Kids Definition

maple

noun

ma·​ple ˈmā-pəl 

: any of a group of trees having deeply notched opposite leaves, dry fruits with two wings, and hard light-colored wood and including some from which maple syrup and maple sugar are obtained

also : the wood of a maple