poplar

noun pop·lar \ ˈpä-plər \

Updated on: 1 Mar 2018

Definition of poplar

1 a : any of a genus (Populus) of slender catkin-bearing quick-growing deciduous trees (such as an aspen or cottonwood) of the willow family

b : the wood of a poplar

2 : tulip tree 1

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Recent Examples of poplar from the Web

Expect to see a lot of pine, oak, mahogany, walnut, and poplar crafted in his patchwork-style furniture.

— jessica leigh mattern, Country Living, "Clint and Kelly Harp's New Television Show Debuts This Week," 6 Mar. 2017
Meanwhile the Calico Cat Quilts shop created a spring poplars wall hanging for $150 on etsy.com, which includes a stunning springtime landscape with colorful flower fabric paired with two different tie dye materials.

— lauren smith, Good Housekeeping, "Pinterest Is Suddenly Obsessed with "Convergence" Quilts," 6 Oct. 2017
Called phytoremediation, Pytel said the fast-growing poplar and cottonwood trees, received from the U.S. Forest Service's Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, can absorb petroleum in the soil and stabilize it.

— carole carlson, Post-Tribune, "From stockings to trees, brownfield branching out," 15 Sep. 2017
Amid the blast-walls and quick-fix buildings of the new city, her centre was built of Afghan cedar and white Herat marble in the style of a qala, or fort, around a courtyard bounded with poplars.

— The Economist, "The land of loveObituary: Nancy Dupree died on September 10th," 14 Sep. 2017
Targeting 12 types of trees — including the ash as well as elms, birch, poplars and maples, their favorite — the beetle could wipe out more than 20 percent of Indianapolis' trees, according to experts.

— sarah bowman, Indianapolis Star, "Thought the emerald ash borer was bad? Meet this lurking menace," 17 Aug. 2017
TruBee features honey (6 oz.) produced by free-range bees who forage for tulip poplar, fruit blossoms, and black locust in the spring.

— erin shaw street, Southern Living, "The Must-Have Subscription Box Everyone's Talking About," 11 July 2017
The scene resembled a parade route with people facing outward, at the thicket of tulip poplars, hemlocks, red oaks and maple trees.

— andrea sachs, chicagotribune.com, "For 2 spectacular weeks, mating fireflies light up Smoky Mountains," 15 June 2017
Use a miter saw to cut two 9-inch lengths and two 2-inch lengths from the poplar. 2.

— Popular Mechanics, "How to Make This Paper Airplane Launcher," 4 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'poplar.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of poplar

Middle English popler, from Anglo-French, from Old French *pople poplar, from Latin populus

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

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Poplar

geographical name Pop·lar \ ˈpä-plər \

Definition of Poplar

former metropolitan borough of eastern London, England, on the northern bank of the Thames River that is now part of the borough of Tower Hamlets

POPLAR Defined for English Language Learners

poplar

noun

Definition of poplar for English Language Learners

: a tall, thin tree that has rough bark, soft wood, and very small groups of flowers

POPLAR Defined for Kids

poplar

noun pop·lar \ ˈpä-plər \

Definition of poplar for Students

: a tree that has rough bark and a white substance resembling cotton around its seeds

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Spanish Central: Translation of poplar Nglish: Translation of poplar for Spanish speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about poplar

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Poplar

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poplar

Definition of poplar for English Language Learners

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poplar

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