aspen

noun as·pen \ ˈas-pən \

|Updated on: 17 Jun 2018

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

Take the Long Way The Kettle Moraine Scenic Drive offers beautiful views of oaks, maples and aspens for 115 miles.

— travel wisconsin, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Solo trips to recharge in Wisconsin," 10 June 2018
There was the Hammond's flycatcher from Honduras, squeaking out its song in an aspen near the Bicycle Bumps.

— ned rozell, Anchorage Daily News, "What it’s like to run circles for 24 hours around the land of no night," 9 June 2018
The reintroduction of gray wolves to Yellowstone National Park in 1995 after an absence of nearly 70 years, for example, led to booms in otters, muskrats, songbirds, frogs and aspen, whose young shoots had been an elk delicacy.

— kieran dodds, Smithsonian, "Britain’s Lake District Was Immortalized by Beatrix Potter, But Is Its Future in Peril?," 20 Apr. 2018
But the spring greens are brighter, the summer clouds puffier, and autumn hues of the aspens more colorful than ever.

— ernie cowan outdoors, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Sierra fishing trip beckons," 5 Mar. 2018
From the Visitor Gateway, the 2.6-mile Acastus Trail weaves through pines and aspens.

— Sunset, "Where to Embark on a Sky Island Adventure," 22 Jan. 2018
In California, too, a few species — including maple, aspen and pinegrass — sprout again after a fire from buds that grow at least partly protected under the soil line.

— c. claiborne ray, New York Times, "Why the Forest Doesn’t Fear the Fire," 22 Jan. 2018
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

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

See Words from the same year

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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