arboretum

noun

ar·​bo·​re·​tum ˌär-bə-ˈrē-təm 

plural arboretums or arboreta ˌär-bə-ˈrē-tə 

: a place where trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants are cultivated for scientific and educational purposes

Examples of arboretum in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Brian Heinz, director of horticulture for Spring Grove, says the arboretum currently lists a September Elm as an Ohio and National Champion. —Jennie Key, The Enquirer, 31 Aug. 2025

Merrill, at a Porter Plan Commission meeting in March, pitched an elaborate proposal to develop within the green space of the interchange that featured an arboretum with trails, an amphitheatre and a bridge to the Indiana Dunes Visitor Center on Ind. 49. —Jim Woods, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2025

The longer hike is a six-mile loop around campus that takes him past Beaver Stadium and the arboretum and along College Avenue, the epicenter of student life at Penn State. —Ralph D. Russo, New York Times, 19 Aug. 2025

The 250-acre site has a beautiful conservatory and children’s adventure garden and arboretum collections. —Michele Herrmann, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Latin, plantation of trees, from arbor

First Known Use

1796, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for arboretum

• equisetum
• pennisetum
• decretum

Kids Definition

arboretum

noun

ar·​bo·​re·​tum ˌär-bə-ˈrēt-əm 

plural arboretums or arboreta -ˈrēt-ə 

: a place where trees and plants are grown for scientific and educational purposes