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

Overall, this is a less-adventurous release than past chapters of Little Book, but there are a range of classic bourbon notes like vanilla, maple, honey, pear, baked apple, and that signature Jim Beam peanut note. —Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 7 Nov. 2025

Friends, and scalpels, were enlisted to cut out maple, oak, and other specimens from sponges. —Elizabeth Kiefer, Architectural Digest, 6 Nov. 2025

From a practical perspective, these maple trees are compact (usually under 25 feet tall) and grow slowly, seldom overtaking a space. —Luke Miller, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Nov. 2025

Menu items include ambrosia and Waldorf salads, turducken, holiday sides and pumpkin pie, paired with a cranberry maple old-fashioned. —Elaine Rewolinski, jsonline.com, 3 Nov. 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