elm

noun

ˈelm 

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

Illustration of elm

• elm 1

Examples of elm in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

And then a couple decades later, Dutch elm disease ravaged our native elms. —Steve Bender, Southern Living, 9 Aug. 2025

Those last remaining elms at Oakmont met such a fate. —Brendan Quinn, New York Times, 14 June 2025

Dutch elm disease killed 95 percent of them, leaving behind fewer than 60,000 big elms, according to U researchers. —Mary Divine, Twin Cities, 24 May 2025

For species such as the American elm, summer pruning is widely recognized as hazardous. —Chicago Tribune, 17 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing elm

• American elm
• Dutch elm disease
• elm bark beetle
• elm leaf beetle
• elm yellows
• slippery elm
• smaller European elm bark beetle
• winged elm

Rhymes for elm

• helm
• realm
• overwhelm

Kids Definition

elm

noun

ˈelm 

1

: any of a genus of large deciduous trees that have toothed leaves and nearly circular one-seeded winged fruits and are often grown as shade trees

especially : american elm

2

: the wood of an elm