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

Waffle Crisp, introduced in 1996, was a maple syrupy cereal from Post. —Kara Nesvig, Parents, 10 Oct. 2024

Naturally, the maple wood slats are there for aesthetic appeal more than anything else, but Haven-1 has also developed other creature comforts, including a puffy space duvet that should help to encourage a good night's rest—not something easily achieved in space. —Carlton Reid, WIRED, 10 Oct. 2024

Big leaf maples form a dense canopy of giant yellow leaves over the forest and vine maples are brilliant orange, salmon, yellow and red colors. —Michele Herrmann, Forbes, 5 Oct. 2024

Fall colors 2024:Arizona's best hikes for aspens, oaks and maples Slide Rock State Park Though a popular place to cool off in the summer, this park makes a great spot for an autumnal picnic surrounded by bursts of reds, oranges and yellows. —Lauren De Young, The Arizona Republic, 28 Sep. 2024

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

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