sycamore

noun

syc·​a·​more ˈsi-kə-ˌmȯr 

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

The first house in what is known today as L.A.’s Outpost Estates neighborhood, which winds up into the mountains north of Hollywood, was built in the 1850s by Don Tómas Urquidez in the middle of a sycamore grove near what is today the intersection of Outpost Drive and Hillside Avenue. —Mark David, Robb Report, 26 Mar. 2024

In the litter of sycamore and oak leaves and the carpet of newborn grass, something caught my eye. —Ernie Cowan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 18 Feb. 2024

The sycamore tree at Gulley Park was chosen by the city's Urban Forestry staff and the Urban Forestry Advisory Board due to its size, location and roots clinging to the stream bank. —Nwa Democrat-Gazette, arkansasonline.com, 13 Mar. 2024

Big sycamore, cottonwood, willow, ash and hackberry trees grow along the river. —Roger Naylor, The Arizona Republic, 7 Mar. 2024

Towering sycamores, magnolias, pine and crepe myrtle trees shade lawns and houses. —Debbie Funk, Washington Post, 17 Jan. 2024

The look of Southern California’s green canopies has changed significantly since the 1950s and 60s, when developers turned their noses up at native oaks and sycamores. —Louis Sahagún, Los Angeles Times, 3 Mar. 2024

Cantlay opened with three birdies in four holes and never really slowed until a sycamore tree halted his great run. —Doug Ferguson, USA TODAY, 16 Feb. 2024

Mesquite, cottonwood and sycamore trees dot the property. —The Arizona Republic, 1 Feb. 2024

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

sycamore

noun

syc·​a·​more ˈsik-ə-ˌmō(ə)r 

-ˌmȯ(ə)r

1

: a Eurasian maple with yellowish green flowers that is widely planted as a shade tree

2

: a large spreading tree of the eastern and central U.S. that has light-brown bark peeling off in thin flakes and small round brown fruits hanging on long stalks