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

Sliders open to a shipping-container pool and spa, an arbor for alfresco dining, and a firepit. —The Week Us, TheWeek, 30 Mar. 2026

Train vines to a trellis or arbor. —Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Mar. 2026

Bougainvilleas are suited for growing against walls or on sturdy fences, trellises, or arbors. —Zoe Gowen, Southern Living, 8 Mar. 2026

Using stakes and arbors made of natural materials like wood, wicker, and bamboo lends a rustic charm, and gives you options for creating vertical plantings. —Peg Aloi, The Spruce, 5 Feb. 2026

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