apple

noun

ap·​ple ˈa-pəl How to pronounce apple (audio)
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:

Examples of apple in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
It’s supported by coconut oil, which is full of vitamin E and great for sealing in moisture, and clarifying apple cider vinegar, which has its own antimicrobial and antifungal properties. Aimee Simeon, Glamour, 7 May 2026 Beyond frozen treats, the new shop also serves strawberry cups, chamoy apples and mangonada. Brock Keeling, Oc Register, 7 May 2026 Kazmierczak is sitting in the front row and stands up, quickly approaching Omar and squirting apple cider vinegar on her with a syringe. Nick Ferraro, Twin Cities, 7 May 2026 Now that officer Kyle McLaughlin got a bump in his title (detective specialist) and salary, what will Kelly the horse get in his accommodations besides an apple and a carrot or two? Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 6 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for apple

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of apple was before the 12th century

Cite this Entry

“Apple.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/apple. Accessed 8 May. 2026.

Kids Definition

apple

noun
ap·​ple ˈap-əl How to pronounce apple (audio)
: 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 How to pronounce apple (audio)
: 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

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