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
Across the calm waters behind a pumping station near Lake Borgne, hundreds of saplings stand out in the mist, wrapped in white plastic cylinders.
—
Melina Walling, Los Angeles Times, 19 Feb. 2026
Telltale signs include surface runways in turf or snow and damage such as plants that were thriving but suddenly fall over, gnaw marks around the base of plants near ground level, chewed bark, and girdled saplings, says Pierce.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 15 Feb. 2026
Nonprofits and government agencies can then buy saplings or shrubs from a community nursery to restore nearby forests.
—Brianna Randall, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026
Age mandates for trees worry some environmentalists Woodlands that are healthy, biodiverse and able to provide food and habitat for myriad species usually have a mix of tree types, from skinny saplings to looming old-timers.
—Sophie Hartley, IndyStar, 22 Jan. 2026
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Melina Walling, Los Angeles Times, 19 Feb. 2026
Telltale signs include surface runways in turf or snow and damage such as plants that were thriving but suddenly fall over, gnaw marks around the base of plants near ground level, chewed bark, and girdled saplings, says Pierce.
—Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 15 Feb. 2026
Nonprofits and government agencies can then buy saplings or shrubs from a community nursery to restore nearby forests.
—Brianna Randall, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026
Age mandates for trees worry some environmentalists Woodlands that are healthy, biodiverse and able to provide food and habitat for myriad species usually have a mix of tree types, from skinny saplings to looming old-timers.
—Sophie Hartley, IndyStar, 22 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sapling
Cite this Entry
“Sapling.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sapling. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
sapling
noun
sap·ling
ˈsap-liŋ 
: a young tree
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