elm

noun

ˈelm 

1

: any of a genus (Ulmus of the family Ulmaceae, the elm family) of usually large deciduous north temperate-zone trees with alternate stipulate leaves and fruit that is a samara

2

: the wood of an elm

Illustration of elm

• elm 1

Examples of elm in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

For generations, American streets and parks showcased the tall, stately pillars of rows and rows of elm trees. — Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2026

After axemen cleared paths through the oaks, elms, and basswoods, the surveyors stretched a standardized measure called a Gunter’s chain—a hundred links to a chain, eighty chains to a mile—and marked the distances with tally pegs. — Daniel Immerwahr, New Yorker, 28 Sep. 2026

Zones 4-8 ‘Frontier’ Elm Before Dutch Elm Disease (DED) took off in the mid-20th century, elms were the tree of choice for city planners and homeowners alike. — Luke Miller, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Sep. 2026

The elm is also culturally important to the Northeast, said Gus Goodwin, a senior conservation planner for The Nature Conservancy. — ABC News, 31 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English; akin to Old High German elme elm, Latin ulmus

First Known Use

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

Phrases Containing elm

• American elm
• Dutch elm disease
• elm bark beetle
• elm leaf beetle
• elm yellows
• slippery elm
• smaller European elm bark beetle
• winged elm

Rhymes for elm

• helm
• realm
• overwhelm

Kids Definition

elm

noun

ˈelm 

1

: any of a genus of large deciduous trees that have toothed leaves and nearly circular one-seeded winged fruits and are often grown as shade trees

especially : american elm

2

: the wood of an elm