sycamore

noun syc·a·more \ ˈsi-kə-ˌmȯr \

|Updated on: 17 Jul 2018

Definition of sycamore

1 or less commonly sycomore play \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 : ⁴plane; especially : a very large spreading tree (Platanus occidentalis) chiefly of the eastern and central U.S. with 3- to 5-lobed broadly ovate leaves

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Recent Examples of sycamore from the Web

The square is filled with floral beds and sycamore trees; the ideal place to amble, and enjoy live music.

— katarina kovac, Vogue, "Where to Go in Croatia’s Capital City of Zagreb," 11 July 2018
The interior of the door is a sycamore-walnut veneer and the seats are covered in diamond-quilted, semi-aniline leather all sourced from a single, century-old tannery (presumably from cows that were lovingly killed).

— eric bangeman, Ars Technica, "Got $360K burning a hole in your pocket? Check out the Range Rover SV Coupe," 16 June 2018
One side of the pool is shaded by huge pecans and sycamores and oaks along a bank that gently slopes to the water’s edge and beyond.

— shannon tompkins, Houston Chronicle, "Catch the good times rolling on the rivers," 12 May 2018
Placerita Canyon State Park, between the San Gabriel Mountains and the Mojave Desert, is filled with sandstone formations, riparian oak woodlands, and stand of cottonwood and sycamore trees.

— jill k. robinson, San Francisco Chronicle, "Top 10 California parks: Little known wonders," 9 May 2018
On a straight stretch of single-carriageway road, lined with sycamores, cars tear along above the 90kph (55mph) speed limit, dodging oncoming traffic to overtake.

— The Economist, "Uproar over new speed limits on French country roads," 31 May 2018
Phillips says the temperature change may benefit some animal and plant species, such as the silver maple and sycamore.

— Post-Tribune, "State briefs," 16 May 2018
Council members weighed the merits of protecting trees against families' rights to enjoy their homes, but unanimously agreed protected species such as oaks and sycamores should never be built upon.

— sara cardine, latimes.com, "Council considers whether residents can, should build tree houses in protected species," 17 May 2018
Oak, mulberry, sycamore, pine and walnut are all adding to the counts right now.

— angela fritz, Washington Post, "Good news: Tree pollen is on the decline. Bad news: Grass allergies are ramping up.," 8 May 2018

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.

Origin and Etymology of 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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First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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SYCAMORE Defined for English Language Learners

sycamore

noun

Definition of sycamore for English Language Learners

: a tree of the eastern and central U.S. that has light-brown bark that peels off in thin flakes
: a type of European maple tree with five-pointed leaves