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

Connolly was the floral artistic director for the Prince and Princess of Wales' April 2011 wedding day and brought in six field maples, two hornbeams and almost 30,000 flowers to decorate the abbey. —Janine Henni, PEOPLE, 13 Jan. 2026

As for us, we are engaged in the usual rituals, starting with firing up the coffee kettle — our choice today is Vermont maple walnut — and hunting for items of interest. —Ed Silverman, STAT, 13 Jan. 2026

The standout feature in the lobby is the 130-year-old maple tree. —Chrissie McClatchie, Travel + Leisure, 12 Jan. 2026

If your maple tree is not dead, the wood will probably not be ready to burn this winter, as the wood will contain too much moisture. —Tim Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 10 Jan. 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