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

Scales attack a variety of plants including woody ornamentals such as boxwoods, camellias and hollies, young trees such as maples, and houseplants. —Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 26 June 2025

The tornado uprooted a giant maple tree, about 3 feet in diameter, which crushed the Bisson family home on Hoyland Ave., Syracuse.com reported. —Joseph Wilkinson, New York Daily News, 23 June 2025

From crowd-pleasers like Canadian maple to playful picks like Cookies 'n Cream, there’s always something tempting behind the counter at Outpost Donuts. —Taryn White, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025

Any example of the street-legal track beast is noteworthy, but this one comes finished in a unique maple leaf livery. —Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 11 June 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