aspen

noun as·pen \ ˈas-pən \

Definition of aspen

: any of several poplars (especially Populus tremula of Europe and P. tremuloides and P. grandidentata of North America) with leaves that flutter in the lightest wind because of their flattened petioles

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Recent Examples of aspen from the Web

Her answer was a patch of pay dirt around 290 miles north, past endless forests of spruce and golden-leafed aspen, at the end of a gravel road known as the Silver Trail.

— dan levin, New York Times, "Faded Yukon Gold Rush Town, Population 20, Mines Its Weirdness," 15 Oct. 2017
ASPEN is the platform DCPS utilizes to hold student records such as attendance, grades, transcripts, class schedules, etc.

— alejandra matos, Washington Post, "How The Washington Post examined suspensions in D.C. schools," 18 July 2017
The most recent study, published in the journal Global Change Biology, looked at 40 different eastern U.S. forest species and found balsam fir, quaking aspen and red spruce among the most vulnerable species to warming temperatures.

— john myers, Twin Cities, "Many northern forest species threatened by climate change, study finds," 11 Mar. 2017
This includes classics like quaking aspen, yarrow, big sagebrush, columbine and milkweed.

— anna webb, idahostatesman, "Milkweed, cacti, foul-smelling voodoo lilies: Visit a small — but intense — Boise garden," 23 June 2017
The amount of enclosure is increasing, courtesy of trembling aspens, thin oaks and smoke trees that pop up from the planter boxes on the trail's expansive Humboldt Boulevard overlook.

— blair kamin, chicagotribune.com, "The 606's landscape grows, as do concerns about displacement," 6 June 2017
ASPEN, Colo. — Not to get all mushy, but that’s exactly how Andre Myhrer of Sweden prefers his snow.

— pat graham, The Denver Post, "Andre Myhrer upsets Marcel Hirscher to takes slalom race at Aspen," 19 Mar. 2017
The tree, nicknamed Pando, is a quaking aspen that has cloned itself so many times it's created an entire forest.

— avery thompson, Popular Mechanics, "What's The Oldest Living Thing on Earth?," 12 June 2017
ASPEN — A dog named Snoopy received 66 stitches during a three-hour surgery Monday after the 50-pound cattle dog was kicked by a skier after the dog snapped loose from his leash.

— the aspen times, The Denver Post, "Dog seriously hurt in altercation with skier in Aspen," 23 Feb. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'aspen.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of aspen

Middle English, of an aspen, from asp aspen, from Old English æspe; akin to Old High German aspa aspen, Russian osina

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1593

in the meaning defined above

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Aspen

geographical name As·pen \ ˈa-spən \

Definition of Aspen

resort city in west central Colorado population 6658

ASPEN Defined for English Language Learners

aspen

noun

Definition of aspen for English Language Learners

: a kind of tree whose leaves move easily when the wind blows

ASPEN Defined for Kids

aspen

noun as·pen \ ˈa-spən \

Definition of aspen for Students

: a poplar tree whose leaves move easily in the breeze

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Spanish Central: Translation of aspen Nglish: Translation of aspen for Spanish speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about aspen

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aspen

Definition of aspen

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Aspen

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aspen

Definition of aspen for English Language Learners

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aspen

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