sycamore

noun

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syc·a·more | \ ˈsi-kə-ˌmȯr

Definition of sycamore

1 or less commonly sycomore \ ˈsi-kə-ˌmȯr

\ : a fig tree (Ficus sycomorus) of Africa and the Middle East that is the sycamore of Scripture and has edible fruit similar but inferior to the common fig

2 : a Eurasian maple (Acer pseudoplatanus) with long racemes of showy yellowish-green flowers that is widely planted as a shade tree

3 : plane entry 4 especially : a very large spreading tree (Platanus occidentalis) chiefly of the eastern and central U.S. with 3- to 5-lobed broadly ovate leaves

Examples of sycamore in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Consider Texas red oak, cedar elm, Mexican sycamore, Mexican white oak, bur oak, live oak and chinkapin oak. — Calvin Finch, ExpressNews.com, "Calvin Finch: What’s working to attract birds to your San Antonio winter garden," 1 Jan. 2021 Lush stands of willow, cottonwood and sycamore trees, cattails, vines like Martynia annum or devil’s claw, and many other such plants thrived. — AZCentral.com, "Native plants become Native art. What happens when they're gone?," 17 Dec. 2020 This loop starts tamely enough from the park’s campground along the Sycamore Canyon Fire Road, a broad, flat thoroughfare flanked by generous-size sycamore trees. — Jordan Rane, Los Angeles Times, "9 hikes to be grateful for this Thanksgiving," 24 Nov. 2020 The top out of a huge sycamore tree damaged the roof on one wing of the house. — Amanda Walker, al, "I saw the light," 7 Nov. 2020 Mexican sycamore, Texas ash, Persian ironwood, loquat leaf oak, desert willow, ginkgo, trident maple, Mexican plum and Walter’s viburnum. — Dallas News, "Placement is key when planting trees," 12 Oct. 2020 The adapted list includes Texas red oak, live oak, cedar elm, Mexican white oak, bur oak, Mexican sycamore and chinquapin oak. — Calvin Finch, ExpressNews.com, "Calvin Finch: The flower annuals to plant now in San Antonio to get you through winter," 22 Oct. 2020 The sycamore, elm, and cottonwood trees bring out the charm and stunning colors many flock to see. — Sonia Ramirez, Houston Chronicle, "5 spots to see the most beautiful fall foliage in Texas," 13 Oct. 2020 Consider Texas red oak, live oak, bur oak, Mexican sycamore, cedar elm, Mexican white oak, chinkapin oak and anaqua. — Calvin Finch, ExpressNews.com, "Calvin Finch: What’s blooming in San Antonio gardens in October," 1 Oct. 2020

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

History and Etymology for sycamore

Middle English sikamour, sicomore, borrowed from Anglo-French sicamour, borrowed from Latin sȳcomorus, borrowed from Greek sȳkómoros "sycamore fig" (sȳkómoron "fruit of the sycamore fig"), probably alteration by folk etymology of sȳkámīnos sycamine, with the ending conformed to móron "black mulberry, blackberry" — more at mulberry

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