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

That’s why the maple syrup in Vancouver comes in the form of a smokie sausage topped with maple bacon onion jam in a brioche bun and the popular poutine—fries loaded with beef gravy and Canadian cheese curds—features pulled short rib. —Tim Newcomb, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026

Meanwhile, Nike made good use of Canada’s national symbol, splashing a duo-tone maple leaf across a beautiful bright red home kit. —Gabriel Sama, Mercury News, 10 June 2026

Our choice today is maple cinnamon French toast, a pantry favorite. —Ed Silverman, STAT, 10 June 2026

The banana puddin’ and maple pecan bread pudding were calling hard, but seal-level consumption had taken its toll. —Amy Drew Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 June 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