apple

noun

ap·​ple ˈa-pəl 

often attributive

1

: the fleshy, usually rounded red, yellow, or green edible pome fruit of a usually cultivated tree (genus Malus) of the rose family

also : an apple tree compare crab apple

2

: a fruit (such as a star apple) or other vegetative growth (such as an oak apple) suggestive of an apple

see also apple of one's eye

Examples of apple in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Anti-inflammatory breakfast ideas include zucchini and spinach frittata, apple cinnamon overnight oats, and a homemade breakfast burrito. —Lauren O'Connor, Health, 7 Jan. 2026

Its apple pies are legendary, yet the town remains largely under the radar, especially outside the fall harvest season. —Amplified Content Studio, Mercury News, 7 Jan. 2026

Some fruit pits and seeds, like those in apples and pears, contain traces of cyanide, which is harmful to birds. —Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 6 Jan. 2026

Creole seasoning adds peppery heat to keep this soup vibrant, along with apple cider vinegar which helps to balance the saltiness of the sausage and seasoning. —Erin Merhar, Southern Living, 6 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English appel, from Old English æppel; akin to Old High German apful apple, Old Irish ubull, Old Church Slavic ablŭko

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing apple

• Adam's apple
• apple butter
• apple-cheeked
• apple-knocker
• apple maggot
• apple-pie
• apple-polish
• apple scab
• (as) American as apple pie
• bad apple
• candy apple
• cedar-apple rust
• crab apple
• custard apple
• in apple-pie order
• lady apple
• love apple
• oak apple
• star apple
• sugar apple
• the apple of someone's eye
• thorn apple
• upset the apple cart

Rhymes for apple

• appal
• chapel
• dapple
• grapple
• pineapple

Kids Definition

apple

noun

ap·​ple ˈap-əl 

: a rounded fruit with a red, yellow, or green skin, firm white flesh and a seedy core

also : the tree of the rose family that bears this fruit

Medical Definition

apple

noun

ap·​ple ˈap-əl 

: the fleshy usually rounded and red, yellow, or green edible pome fruit of a tree (genus Malus) of the rose family

also : an apple tree