plural trees
1
a
: 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
3
a(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
see also out of one's tree
treed; treeing
1
a
: 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
Examples of tree in a Sentence
Noun
He chopped down the tree.
Recent Examples on the Web
Ian Livingston, Washington Post, 19 Sep. 2023
Power lines were toppling, trees were falling, homes were getting wrecked.
—Jon Schuppe, NBC News, 19 Sep. 2023
The tree became a tourist attraction where many people held parties and even got engaged.
—Caitlin O'Kane, CBS News, 19 Sep. 2023
Ford’s mother told sheriff’s deputies in a 911 call that her son had been trimming the trees at her house, which is directly next to Druzolowski’s, when her neighbor shot him.
—Macie Goldfarb, CNN, 19 Sep. 2023
Spread among 104 acres of grape vines, cypress trees, and 300-year-old olive groves, the property is home to a professional-level cycling facility popular among Tour de France athletes.
—Siobhan Reid, Robb Report, 19 Sep. 2023
Plus, the property is covered with beautiful oak trees dripping with Spanish Moss (or epiphyte), which provides a dreamy touch to your special day.
—Dominique Fluker, Essence, 19 Sep. 2023
Imagine the sound of people speaking Nahuatl, a canoe gliding through the canals, and birds chirping in the trees.
—WIRED, 17 Sep. 2023
The company also pledges to one tree for each order placed.
—Jon Stojan, USA TODAY, 8 Sep. 2023
Marina Pitofsky, USA TODAY, 3 Feb. 2023
The tornado did mainly tree damage in the area and dissipated after crossing County Road 113.
—Leigh Morgan, al, 8 Jan. 2023
Bitters are liquors flavored with a combination of herbs and other plants — sometimes even tree bark and roots.
—Eric Betz, Discover Magazine, 7 Oct. 2020
Scientists called dendrochronologists focus on assigning calendar years to tree rings and interpreting data within those rings.
—Jared Farmer, Smithsonian Magazine, 3 Jan. 2023
People who are not sensitive or allergic to tree nuts can still eat the cookies.
—Chris Smith, BGR, 1 Nov. 2022
People allergic to tree nuts will develop symptoms after eating products containing these ingredients.
—Chris Smith, BGR, 27 Oct. 2022
Not only is the money tree a beautiful addition to any home style, it's also been found to bring luck and good fortune to its owners.
—Cailey Lindberg, Good Housekeeping, 13 Oct. 2022
Manzanita is a large group of evergreen shrubs, from groundcover to tree height, and varying widths.
—Viveka Neveln, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Oct. 2022
See More
Noun
Evan Fisher, a meteorologist for the Explore Fall website, said in an email that the stress from drought also causes trees to drop their leaves earlier but at different times, depending on the species.
—Ian Livingston, Washington Post, 19 Sep. 2023
Power lines were toppling, trees were falling, homes were getting wrecked.
—Jon Schuppe, NBC News, 19 Sep. 2023
The tree became a tourist attraction where many people held parties and even got engaged.
—Caitlin O'Kane, CBS News, 19 Sep. 2023
Ford’s mother told sheriff’s deputies in a 911 call that her son had been trimming the trees at her house, which is directly next to Druzolowski’s, when her neighbor shot him.
—Macie Goldfarb, CNN, 19 Sep. 2023
Spread among 104 acres of grape vines, cypress trees, and 300-year-old olive groves, the property is home to a professional-level cycling facility popular among Tour de France athletes.
—Siobhan Reid, Robb Report, 19 Sep. 2023
Plus, the property is covered with beautiful oak trees dripping with Spanish Moss (or epiphyte), which provides a dreamy touch to your special day.
—Dominique Fluker, Essence, 19 Sep. 2023
Imagine the sound of people speaking Nahuatl, a canoe gliding through the canals, and birds chirping in the trees.
—WIRED, 17 Sep. 2023
The company also pledges to one tree for each order placed.
—Jon Stojan, USA TODAY, 8 Sep. 2023
Verb
In western north and central Texas, the warning was set to lift at 9 a.m. on Thursday, though power outages and tree damage across the area were still possible due to the ice.
—Marina Pitofsky, USA TODAY, 3 Feb. 2023
The tornado did mainly tree damage in the area and dissipated after crossing County Road 113.
—Leigh Morgan, al, 8 Jan. 2023
Bitters are liquors flavored with a combination of herbs and other plants — sometimes even tree bark and roots.
—Eric Betz, Discover Magazine, 7 Oct. 2020
Scientists called dendrochronologists focus on assigning calendar years to tree rings and interpreting data within those rings.
—Jared Farmer, Smithsonian Magazine, 3 Jan. 2023
People who are not sensitive or allergic to tree nuts can still eat the cookies.
—Chris Smith, BGR, 1 Nov. 2022
People allergic to tree nuts will develop symptoms after eating products containing these ingredients.
—Chris Smith, BGR, 27 Oct. 2022
Not only is the money tree a beautiful addition to any home style, it's also been found to bring luck and good fortune to its owners.
—Cailey Lindberg, Good Housekeeping, 13 Oct. 2022
Manzanita is a large group of evergreen shrubs, from groundcover to tree height, and varying widths.
—Viveka Neveln, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Oct. 2022
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'tree.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Noun
Middle English, from Old English trēow; akin to Old Norse trē tree, Greek drys, Sanskrit dāru wood
First Known Use
Noun
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Verb
1575, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Time Traveler
The first known use of tree was
before the 12th century
Phrases Containing tree
Articles Related to tree
Dictionary Entries Near tree
Cite this Entry
“Tree.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tree. Accessed 30 Sep. 2023.
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Kids Definition
tree
1 of 2 noun1
a
: a woody plant that lives for years and has a usually single tall main stem with few or no branches on its lower part
b
: a shrub or herb that has a form like a tree
rose trees
a banana tree
2
: a piece of wood (as a post or pole) put to a particular use of forming part of a structure or device
3
: something shaped like or arranged in a form like a tree
especially
: a diagram or graph in branching form compare factor tree, family tree sense 2
tree
2 of 2 verb
treed; treeing
1
: to drive up or as if up a tree
2
: to furnish or fit with a tree
tree an axle
Medical Definition
tree
noun
: an anatomical system or structure having many branches
the vascular tree
see biliary tree, bronchial tree, tracheobronchial tree
Biographical Definition
More from Merriam-Webster on tree
Nglish: Translation of tree for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of tree for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about tree
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