prune

noun

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\ ˈprün

Definition of prune

(Entry 1 of 2)

: a plum dried or capable of drying without fermentation

prune

verb

pruned; pruning

Definition of prune (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

1a : to reduce especially by eliminating superfluous matter pruned the text prune the budget

b : to remove as superfluous prune away all ornamentation

2 : to cut off or cut back parts of for better shape or more fruitful growth prune the branches

intransitive verb

: to cut away what is unwanted or superfluous

Other Words from prune Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about prune

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Synonyms for prune

Synonyms: Verb

Examples of prune in a Sentence

Verb She carefully pruned the hedge. Those trees need to be pruned every year. The students were asked to prune their essays. The budget needs to be pruned.

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun During the summer, only prune for thinning and keeping good air flow. — oregonlive, 22 May 2021 The nose leads with bold prune and spice notes, the latter of which plays with a deep caramel sweetness and pronounced grain and nut flavors on the palate. — Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 21 May 2021 For heirloom and species roses, prune after flowering in spring. — Steve Bender, Southern Living, 30 Apr. 2021 Learn more about how to supplement with prunes, when to expect results and how to make your own prune juice at home. — Rachel Boller, chicagotribune.com, 18 Apr. 2021 And those who garden, prune and plow...and still watch shows about gardening. — Perri Ormont Blumberg, Southern Living, 29 Mar. 2021 And Kate McKinnon wins points for a magical sort of prune-like old lady face. — Matthew Love, Vulture, 28 Mar. 2021 Remington’s smart trimmer scored exceptionally well in all of our tests, especially in crucial areas that affect your daily prune. — Kai Burkhardt, CNN Underscored, 26 Mar. 2021 The prune puree gave the brownies a fudgy texture and really enhanced the chocolate flavor. — Darlene Zimmerman, Detroit Free Press, 20 Mar. 2021 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb China is actively trying to prune back excesses in its banking and property sectors, trim crypto activity and halt the rise in its currency. — Mike O'sullivan, Forbes, 5 June 2021 If the damage is mainly on the tips of a few branches, prune it out. — Janet B. Carson, Arkansas Online, 15 May 2021 If any twigs turn brown eventually, then prune them out. — Ellen Nibali, baltimoresun.com, 13 May 2021 First, unless your name is Morticia Addams don't prune if your plants are budding or blooming now. — Steve Bender, Southern Living, 30 Apr. 2021 Two years before the fire leveled Berry Creek, the community had been selected to receive an $836,000 state grant to prune vegetation and clear fuel from potential fire spots, The Associated Press reported. — NBC News, 30 Apr. 2021 At the time of planting, prune the tree to a height of 2 to 3 feet above the ground. — oregonlive, 28 Mar. 2021 Those with just spots of the clinging foliage are hurt, but there should be a limited amount of dead limbs to prune away at some point. — Howard Garrett, Dallas News, 19 Apr. 2021 In early spring, clean your lawn and take the time to remove dead foliage, weeds, and debris as well as prune your trees. — Monique Valeris, Good Housekeeping, 23 Mar. 2021

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

History and Etymology for prune

Noun

Middle English, from Anglo-French, plum, from Latin prunum — more at plum

Verb

Middle English prouynen, probably ultimately from Old French prooignier, alteration of *porrooignier, from por- completely (from Latin pro-) + rooignier to cut, prune, from Vulgar Latin *rotundiare to cut around, from Latin rotundus round — more at pro-, rotund