alder

noun

al·​der ˈȯl-dər 

: any of a genus (Alnus) of toothed-leaved trees or shrubs of the birch family that have catkins which become woody, that typically grow in cool moist ground, and that have wood used especially in turnery

also : its wood

Examples of alder in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

There are several varieties that feed on apple, pear, elm, alder, beech, hawthorn, and silver maple trees. —Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 4 Mar. 2026

With Peoples Gas seeking a significant rate hike for next year, Chicago alders and residents spoke out on Tuesday at a City Council committee hearing on the proposal. —Tara Molina, CBS News, 3 Mar. 2026

The Milwaukee Police Department modified its policies to explicitly prohibit officers from concealing their identity with face masks, one piece of city alders' plans to limit federal immigration operations in Milwaukee. —Hope Karnopp, jsonline.com, 2 Mar. 2026

Taking cover behind towering oaks, alders, and ash trees, the teen-agers hid from border guards and from local villagers, some of whom turn migrants in to the authorities. —Elizabeth Flock, New Yorker, 23 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English alor; akin to Old High German elira alder, Latin alnus

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing alder

• black alder

Rhymes for alder

• balder

Kids Definition

alder

noun

al·​der ˈȯl-dər 

: any of a genus of toothed-leaved trees or shrubs related to the birches

Biographical Definition

Alder

biographical name

Al·​der ˈäl-dər 

Kurt 1902–1958 German chemist