1
: a young tree
specifically
: one not over four inches (about 10 centimeters) in diameter at breast height
2
Examples of sapling in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Funga harvests fungal spores from a healthy forest and transplants them to a commercial tree nursery, mixes them with water, and applies them directly to saplings in an aqueous solution within a single day or two of harvest.
—
Erik Kobayashi-Solomon, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
But as Plumier wades through saplings and cattails, his headlamp is on the prowl.
—Sophie Hartley, IndyStar, 9 Sep. 2025
Resist the urge to add fertilizer immediately after planting the sapling in your yard.
—Heather Bien, Southern Living, 28 Aug. 2025
The name of the event is taken from the practice of bending saplings in a certain direction that would take root as a sign post.
—Gregory Harutunian, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sapling
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Erik Kobayashi-Solomon, Forbes.com, 16 Sep. 2025
But as Plumier wades through saplings and cattails, his headlamp is on the prowl.
—Sophie Hartley, IndyStar, 9 Sep. 2025
Resist the urge to add fertilizer immediately after planting the sapling in your yard.
—Heather Bien, Southern Living, 28 Aug. 2025
The name of the event is taken from the practice of bending saplings in a certain direction that would take root as a sign post.
—Gregory Harutunian, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sapling
Cite this Entry
“Sapling.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sapling. Accessed 1 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
sapling
noun
sap·ling
ˈsap-liŋ 
: a young tree
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