maple

noun

ma·​ple ˈmā-pəl 

: any of a genus (Acer of the family Sapindaceae, the soapberry family) of chiefly deciduous trees or shrubs with opposite leaves and a fruit of two united samaras

also : the hard light-colored close-grained wood of a maple used especially for flooring and furniture

Examples of maple in a Sentence

The maple leaf is an emblem of Canada.

a table made of maple

Recent Examples on the Web

Stay hands-free all day with the Ethan Pack that’s 66 percent off in our favorite maple-colored signature leather. —Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 3 Mar. 2026

According to the National Allergy Bureau, Oklahomans with a tree allergy have been struggling with pollen released from cedar, elm and maple trees. —Dale Denwalt, Oklahoman, 3 Mar. 2026

The house was far from a subway stop but had a spacious front porch that looked out onto a maple tree. —Caitlin Dickerson, The Atlantic, 3 Mar. 2026

No, not dead, but the maple tree preparing For solitude or something thickening with silver. —Rachel Eliza Griffiths, New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English mapul-; akin to Old Norse mǫpurr maple

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing maple

• bird's-eye maple
• hard maple
• Japanese maple
• maple sugar
• maple syrup
• Norway maple
• red maple
• rock maple
• silver maple
• sugar maple
• tiger maple
• vine maple

Rhymes for maple

• papal
• staple

Kids Definition

maple

noun

ma·​ple ˈmā-pəl 

: any of a group of trees having deeply notched opposite leaves, dry fruits with two wings, and hard light-colored wood and including some from which maple syrup and maple sugar are obtained

also : the wood of a maple