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

The maple and oak trees in this 750-acre forest turn technicolor, as if the fall foliage was cranked to full saturation. —Outside Online, 28 May 2025

Balance is the key here, with notes of chocolate, roasted espresso, and maple intermingling with earthy, grassy, peppery bursts of agave from start to finish. —Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 29 Apr. 2025

The maple bat is now more common than ash, though an invasive insect played a part in that. —John Cairney, Sportico.com, 15 Apr. 2025

In fact, more than three-quarters of big-league hitters now use maple. —Zack Meisel, New York Times, 7 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