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

Green Street’s impressive large white arches — referred to as wickets and reaching 25 feet in height — also incorporate design elements of Everything Changes with a Dream with maple-leaf patterns similar to the large sculpture. —Janice Phelan, Kansas City Star, 11 Sep. 2025

These include maples, pines, dogwoods, and other landscape favorites. —Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 10 Sep. 2025

About 20 miles south of Boston, under a big maple near a white clapboard church, John Cheever is buried next to his parents and brother. —Adam Begley, The Atlantic, 9 Sep. 2025

On Queen West stands a cathedral to gastronomy, complete with maple wood arched ceiling and steaks worth worshipping. —Kate Dingwall, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 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