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

Silver Maple Acer saccharinum Silver maple is sold everywhere as a fast-growing shade tree. — Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 15 July 2026

Hearty breakfast options, like corn griddle cakes with maple thyme butter and huckleberry lemon compote and wrangler’s toast (a riff on avo toast), will fuel guests through a morning of outdoor adventures. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 July 2026

Some of the flavors include maple nut, berries and cream and a honeybee latte. — Fousia Abdullahi, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 July 2026

As evergreens, the redwoods remain the same year-round, but the forest’s oaks and maples shift with the seasons. — Cu Fleshman, Travel + Leisure, 12 July 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