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

Try Galletto Ristorante’s upscale farm-to-fork Italian under a vine-arbor patio that somehow accentuates the flavors of the handmade pastas and seasonal ingredients. —Iona Brannon, Travel + Leisure, 20 Jan. 2026

The Garden Conservancy advised on a second restoration of key garden elements in 2008 including the pergola, arbors, and pond. —Chadd Scott, Forbes.com, 16 Jan. 2026

Preservationists also saved the commemorative cornerstone and the bronze plaque from the East Wing's 1942 renovation, two fanlight windows and the Kennedy Garden arbor. —Arden Farhi, CBS News, 15 Dec. 2025

This gorgeous 55x21x100-inch arbor is a West Elm best-seller thanks to its elegant design and sturdy wrought iron frame. —Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 Oct. 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