Definition of elm
1 : any of a genus (Ulmus of the family Ulmaceae, the elm family) of usually large deciduous north temperate-zone trees with alternate stipulate leaves and fruit that is a samara
2 : the wood of an elm
From the M-W Editors
Recent Examples of elm from the Web
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Soon the rasping sounds of a saw joined those of falling water, and local settlers carried away splintery but fresh-smelling planks of oak, elm and walnut.
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The spitball also was outlawed in 1920, ending an era when pitchers were allowed to load up a ball with saliva produced naturally, or with help from chewing gum or slippery elm (a lozenge taken for coughs and colds) to make their pitches move.
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Some of these species include willow, Arizona ash, hackberry, poplar, pecan, Siberian elm, Bradford pear, mature water oaks (a species known for blowing over in hurricanes) and silver maple.
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Lombardy poplar, honeylocust, any species of cottonwood or willow, many maples and elms.
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Take note of the bit of surviving natural shoreline and the cypress elm, live oak, honey locust, black willow, sugarberry, red maple and palmettos that fill the landscape.
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One magnolia tree stands on its lawn, the tree’s pale, floppy blossoms beautiful and strange against the oaks and elms of the Northeast.
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Those include a loblolly pine that’s 15 feet around and 167 feet high; a cherrybark oak 23 feet around and 162 feet tall; and an American elm 17 feet around and 130 feet high.
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Today, roughly 7 percent of Park Ridge city trees are of the elm variety, said city forester Brandon Naser.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'elm.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Illustration of elm
Origin and Etymology of elm
Middle English, from Old English; akin to Old High German elme elm, Latin ulmus
ELM Defined for English Language Learners
elm
playDefinition of elm for English Language Learners
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: a tall shade tree with spreading branches
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: the wood of an elm
ELM Defined for Kids
elm
playDefinition of elm for Students
: a tall shade tree with a broad rather flat top and spreading branches
Learn More about elm
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See words that rhyme with elm Spanish Central: Translation of elm Nglish: Translation of elm for Spanish speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about elm
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