maple

noun

ma·​ple ˈmā-pəl 

: any of a genus (Acer of the family Sapindaceae, the soapberry family) of chiefly deciduous trees or shrubs with opposite leaves and a fruit of two united samaras

also : the hard light-colored close-grained wood of a maple used especially for flooring and furniture

Examples of maple in a Sentence

The maple leaf is an emblem of Canada.

a table made of maple

Recent Examples on the Web

Other highlights include The Joyce’s Aperol and Sarti spritzes for $12 on Miami Beach and Bar Moxy’s $10 menu in Wynwood, which includes the Lalo apple cider margarita and a smoky maple sour with mezcal. — Connie Ogle, Miami Herald, 25 Sep. 2026

Items on the menu will include a family-style serving of blue cornbread, maple, and maple cream as a bite. — Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 24 Sep. 2026

Other trees that peel like this include birches, sycamores, some hickories, paperbark maples, and stewartia. — Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 22 Sep. 2026

According to Locals Farther north along the route, West Fork Trail is a popular path through Coconino National Forest, where crimson maple leaves often blanket the path or float atop crystal reflecting pools. — Nicholas Derenzo, Travel + Leisure, 21 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English mapul-; akin to Old Norse mǫpurr maple

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing maple

• bird's-eye maple
• hard maple
• Japanese maple
• maple sugar
• maple syrup
• Norway maple
• red maple
• rock maple
• silver maple
• sugar maple
• tiger maple
• vine maple

Rhymes for maple

• papal
• staple

Kids Definition

maple

noun

ma·​ple ˈmā-pəl 

: any of a group of trees having deeply notched opposite leaves, dry fruits with two wings, and hard light-colored wood and including some from which maple syrup and maple sugar are obtained

also : the wood of a maple