aspen

noun

as·​pen ˈa-spən 

: any of several poplars (especially Populus tremula of Europe and P. tremuloides and P. grandidentata of North America) with leaves that flutter in the lightest wind because of their flattened petioles

Examples of aspen in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

There might be a butterfly flittering about barren aspen trunks. —Ray Mark Rinaldi, Denver Post, 28 Apr. 2025

But what is interesting in the context of this exhibit is the imagery itself, which features the trunks of aspens — the state’s signature tree — integrated with disembodied human eyes. —Ray Mark Rinaldi, Denver Post, 14 Apr. 2025

The trail contours around slopes thick with aspen and wildflowers, passes through forests rife with conifers and chanterelles, plunges across creeks and rivers, skirts crystalline lakes, and ascends a handful of high mountain passes. —Shawnté Salabert, Outside Online, 28 Mar. 2025

By The Hundreds At first glance, the Narcisse Snake Dens look like little more than sinkholes punched into a prairie of dry grasses and stunted aspen. —Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 26 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, of an aspen, from asp aspen, from Old English æspe; akin to Old High German aspa aspen, Russian osina

First Known Use

1593, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing aspen

• quaking aspen

Kids Definition

aspen

noun

as·​pen ˈas-pən 

: any of several poplars with leaves that flutter in the lightest breeze

Geographical Definition

Aspen

geographical name

As·​pen ˈa-spən 

resort city in west central Colorado population 6658