black gum

noun

: a tupelo (Nyssa sylvatica) of the eastern U.S. with light and soft but tough wood

Examples of black gum in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Also called tupelo, black gum is a fast grower that doesn’t mind swampy areas. Arricca Elin Sansone, Country Living, 21 July 2023 Our fall color standouts tend to be Kentucky coffee tree (Gymnocladus dioicus), black gum (Nyssa sylvatica) and sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua) all of which are fantastic fall color trees, but none of them show up in sufficient density for a screen-saver-worthy aerial photo. Paul Cappiello, The Courier-Journal, 16 Oct. 2020 The remains of a four-chambered brick structure are set among black gum trees, live oaks and scrub brush. Latria Graham, Smithsonian Magazine, 2 Dec. 2022 Soon, a balding man wearing black gum boots came into view: Pierre Bizimana, a farmer and a part-time milk collector. Nicola Twilley, The New Yorker, 15 Aug. 2022 Streets receiving new trees -- ranging from white oak and black gum to Brandywine maple -- include Greenleaf Avenue, Parma Park Boulevard, Commonwealth Boulevard, Appleton Drive, Blossom Avenue, Barrington Boulevard and Lawndale Drive. John Benson, cleveland, 8 June 2022 The April launch features an initial three colors—black gum, white gum and dusty rose—and Balint says the brand will see what the response is to the new silhouette before evaluating opportunities that require different design elements. Tim Newcomb, Forbes, 14 Apr. 2022 Tree varieties for that project include tulip, Kentucky coffee tree, black gum, London planetree, linden, hornbeam, yellowwood, magnolia, redbud and honey locust. Peter Krouse, cleveland, 8 Apr. 2022 Okefenokee Wilderness, Georgia Cypress trees, pines, and black gum swamps make Okefenokee Wilderness a thriving sanctuary for Georgia’s diverse critters. Stephanie Vermillion, Outside Online, 26 July 2021

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'black gum.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1709, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of black gum was in 1709

Dictionary Entries Near black gum

Cite this Entry

“Black gum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/black%20gum. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

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