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

Loblaws, a Canadian grocery chain with more than 2,400 locations, is tagging Canadian goods throughout stores with a maple leaf. —Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA Today, 4 May 2025

Hikers, walking among oak, maple and ash trees, might encounter deer, bald eagles, foxes and even black bears. —Coral Murphy Marcos, New York Times, 2 May 2025

Trees of all sorts can be found here: lime, ash, apple, elm, maple and pear, to name a few. —Jeanine Barone, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025

The wood influence is prominent here, with sweet notes of vanilla, baking spice, and maple on the palate. —Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 29 Apr. 2025

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