tree

noun

\ ˈtrē

Definition of tree

(Entry 1 of 3)

1a : a woody perennial plant having a single usually elongate main stem generally with few or no branches on its lower part

b : a shrub or herb of arborescent form rose trees a banana tree

2 : something in the form of or resembling a tree: such as

a : a diagram or graph that branches usually from a simple stem or vertex without forming loops or polygons a genealogical tree phylogenetic trees

b : a much-branched system of channels especially in an animal body the vascular tree

3a(1) : a piece of wood (such as a post or pole) usually adapted to a particular use or forming part of a structure or implement

(2) archaic : the cross on which Jesus was crucified

b archaic : gallows

4 : saddletree

tree

verb

treed; treeing

Definition of tree (Entry 2 of 3)

transitive verb

1a : to drive to or up a tree treed by a bull dogs treeing game

b : to put into a position of extreme disadvantage : corner especially : to bring to bay

2 : to furnish or fit (a shoe) with a tree

Tree

biographical name

\ ˈtrē

Definition of Tree (Entry 3 of 3)

Sir Herbert (Draper) Beerbohm 1853–1917 English actor-manager

Other Words from tree More Example Sentences Learn More about tree

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Examples of tree in a Sentence

Noun

He chopped down the tree.

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Large rustic hanging planter: Great to hang from a tree or in your patio. — Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Colorful, whimsical or classic, yard art can enhance your garden’s overall appeal," 3 July 2019 The first episodes of The Walking Dead’s ninth season featured a tree bearing multiple direction signs pointing to the various communities. — Nick Romano, EW.com, "Everything we know (so far) about the three rings in The Walking Dead universe," 2 July 2019 This winter, a large tree fell directly across the center of the entrance to the cliffs, forcing racers to readjust their approach to the mountain. — Author: Kat Sorensen, Anchorage Daily News, "Mount Marathon is always arduous, but smoke, dust and heat could add to this year’s challenge," 2 July 2019 Two of the cubs were later found taking refuge up a tree and were safely captured. — Fox News, "Colorado resident kills mama bear trying to enter home; 2 orphaned cubs rescued, 1 missing: officials," 2 July 2019 These nests will extend outside a tree as well and will be made from paper. — Howard Koplowitz | Hkoplowitz@al.com, al.com, "It’s Alabama’s stinging season: How to identify yellow jacket, hornet and bees’ nests," 1 July 2019 That is, until a hunter happened upon the skeletal remains of what appeared to be a small child near a tree deep in a swampy, wooded area of St. Charles Parish on Nov. 29, 1978. — Michelle Hunter, nola.com, "New suspect named in 1978 abduction, murder of 5-year-old Stephanie Hebert," 29 June 2019 Deputies responded to a 911 call about 11:30 a.m. and found four people pinned beneath a fallen tree. — NBC News, "11-year-old Girl Scout killed by falling tree at Indiana camp; three others injured," 25 June 2019 In Mississippi, 19-year-old Jackson Salter died when a tree fell on his home Wednesday night, Washington County Coroner Methel Johnson told The Delta Democrat-Times . — CBS News, "Storms bring tornadoes, floods and power outages across the U.S.," 20 June 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

The revelation that dogs could be trained to find scat occurred to him during a conversation with a hunter who used tracking dogs to tree bears. — Sandi Doughton, The Seattle Times, "Sam Wasser pours his intense passion for protecting wildlife into research and catching poachers," 21 May 2019 Launched from forests, from mounts tied to tree trunks the Natter could be dispersed and hidden in locations where the Allies wouldn’t possibly think interceptors might rise to meet them. — Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, "Meet 'The Natter,' Nazi Germany's Wooden Rocket Plane," 19 June 2019 The grant has a matching requirement, Scott said, which means the village must also contribute $15,000 to tree replanting efforts. — Mary Mcintyre, Lake County News-Sun, "After beetle wiped out 20% of parkway trees in Winthrop Harbor, federal grant will help restock the village," 14 June 2019 But some species reacted differently to the two types of lighting in relation to tree cover, according to the study, published in March in the journal Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution. — National Geographic, "Light pollution hurts urban bats. Trees can help.," 17 Apr. 2019 Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) officers used a Karelian bear dog to track and tree the bear, Travis said. — Evan Bush, The Seattle Times, "Officials capture wandering bear in Mukilteo," 10 June 2018 Aimee Weiss, of Highland Park, said her doctor wrote a prescription for multiple packages of EpiPens for her 12-year-old daughter, who’s allergic to tree nuts. — Lisa Schencker, chicagotribune.com, "EpiPen shortage hits Illinois," 9 May 2018 Milwaukee mom Karen Kovochich, whose son is allergic to tree nuts, agrees. — Amy Schwabe, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Allergy parents sound off on the approach 'Peter Rabbit' takes on food allergies," 13 Feb. 2018 The cones are collected, bagged, tagged, stored, and then driven more than 2,000 miles in a refrigerated truck from Georgia—situated between Turkey, Russia, and Iran—to tree nurseries across Europe. — John Wendle, National Geographic, "Gravity-Defying Villagers Risk Their Lives for Christmas Trees," 21 Dec. 2017

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