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

But on January 11, 1937, a young man hunting rabbits south of Everett finds Charles’s naked, battered body dumped in a thicket of alders, knifed in the back and beaten in the head with a blunt instrument. —Caroline Fraser june 10, Literary Hub, 10 June 2025

Some alders even objected to Quezada's automatic placement in his predecessor's committee slots. —Monica Eng, Axios, 7 Apr. 2025

The situation has also caused some alders to question during public meetings how much the executive branch should dictate the judicial branch’s decision making. —Bridget Fogarty, Journal Sentinel, 14 Nov. 2024

But many alders, including 28 who sent a letter to Johnson last week, wanted to see more cuts — including to the mayoral staff — and a freeze on expanding his summer jobs program. —Monica Eng, Axios, 13 Dec. 2024

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