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

Latte flavors include cardamom, date, fig, pistachio, vanilla, caramel and maple. —Jenna Thompson april 1, Kansas City Star, 1 Apr. 2026

Our choice today is maple bourbon. —Ed Silverman, STAT, 1 Apr. 2026

The truck carries all kinds of heavy cargo, from slabs of solid maple bowling lanes to loads of concrete paver tiles. —Dee-Ann Durbin, Fortune, 30 Mar. 2026

The Ducks returned from Canada with four of six points in their back pocket, albeit with a four-point loss in their rearview mirror, and mounted up to take on yet another team from where the pines and maples grow on Monday. —Andrew Knoll, Oc Register, 29 Mar. 2026

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