arbor

1 of 3

noun (1)

ar·​bor ˈär-bər 

: a shelter of vines or branches or of latticework covered with climbing shrubs or vines

Illustration of arbor

• ¹arbor

arbor

2 of 3

noun (2)

1

: a spindle or axle of a wheel

2

: a main shaft or beam

3

: a shaft on which a revolving cutting tool is mounted

4

: a spindle on a cutting machine that holds the work to be cut

arbor-

3 of 3

combining form

variants or arbori-

: tree

arboriculture

Examples of arbor in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

North Coast Church paid $9,500 for lumber, arbors, benches, pergolas, garden fencing, monument signs and concrete, rocks, plants and paint supplies. —Julie Gallant, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 May 2025

Photo : Elite Auctions A view of the vineyard from the arbor. —Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 29 Apr. 2025

Gather around the fire pit or treat yourself to a relaxing soak in the hot tub under a decorative arbor and enjoy the privacy and tranquility of the surroundings illuminated by custom lighting. —Monica Lander, Mercury News, 18 Apr. 2025

While flat trellises might accent a wall and arbors may provide a covered archway to walk through, pergolas are usually larger and beckon you to sit and relax awhile. —Libby Monteith Minor, Southern Living, 8 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English erber, herber garden, from Anglo-French, from herbe herb, grass

Noun (2)

Latin, tree, shaft

Combining form

Latin arbor

First Known Use

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1659, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for arbor

• arbour
• harbor
• harbour

Kids Definition

arbor

noun

ar·​bor

ˈär-bər

: a shelter of vines or branches or a structure of crossed wood or metal strips covered with climbing shrubs or vines

Medical Definition

arbor

noun

ar·​bor ˈär-bər 

: a branching anatomical structure resembling a tree