elm

noun \ ˈelm \

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

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Recent Examples of elm from the Web

The beetle attacks maple, birch, elm, willow, ash, poplar and the Ohio buckeye, killing them within about 10 years.

— carrie blackmore smith, Cincinnati.com, "Have you seen this destructive beetle? Here's what to do if you have," 25 Aug. 2017
Tree species affected by the 2015 proposal include elms, sycamores, maples, box elders, catalpa and mulberries, among others.

— james bruggers, The Courier-Journal, "Can they do that? Billboard company wants to cut down hundreds of trees on public land in Louisville," 24 Aug. 2017
Breedlove goes through a list of magnolia, elm, and maple trees that shade the campus and accent Georgian-style buildings clustered around green spaces such as the North Campus Lawn and Georgia Quad.

— jennifer chappell smith, Southern Living, "The South’s Most Beautiful Colleges," 15 Aug. 2017
Two trees, a butternut and an elm, that had been on the old Middle School campus, were saved and transformed into eagle sculptures during the city's annual Homecoming celebration last August at North Olmsted Park.

— carol kovach, cleveland.com, "New North Olmsted Middle, High School takes shape in Butternut Ridge corridor: A Place in the Sun," 24 July 2017
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.

— darryl levings, kansascity, "How KC’s Watts Mill became a mill — and a fiddler’s paradise," 18 July 2017
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.

— kirk kenney, sandiegouniontribune.com, "The baseball has been through just about everything through the years," 2 July 2017
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.

— NOLA.com, "Are your trees ready for hurricane season? 3 problems to look for," 1 July 2017
Lombardy poplar, honeylocust, any species of cottonwood or willow, many maples and elms.

— lisa greim, The Denver Post, "That big tree in your yard? Should it stay or should it go?," 16 June 2017

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.

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Origin and Etymology of elm

Middle English, from Old English; akin to Old High German elme elm, Latin ulmus

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First Known Use: before 12th century

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ELM Defined for English Language Learners

elm

noun

Definition of elm for English Language Learners

: a tall shade tree with spreading branches
: the wood of an elm

ELM Defined for Kids

elm

noun \ ˈelm \

Definition of elm for Students

:a tall shade tree with a broad rather flat top and spreading branches

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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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elm

Definition of elm

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elm

Definition of elm for English Language Learners

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elm

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