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

That might mean placing an iron loveseat in one area or styling a wrought iron chair and side table under an arbor, Carmona explains. —Sarah Lyon, The Spruce, 9 May 2026

This backyard takes a more elaborate approach with a series of arbors wrapped in string lights leading the way to the firepit area. —Marisa Donnelly, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 May 2026

Trellises, obelisks and arbors add a dimension that plantings alone cannot achieve. —Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Charlotte Observer, 21 Apr. 2026

Landscapers will remove vegetation to be saved, spray herbicide to kill remaining plants, prepare soil for replanting and remove existing arbors and trellises. —Kristi Miller, Twin Cities, 21 Apr. 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