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

Highway traffic is light, but a fallen tree blocked two lanes of southbound I-405 late in Tuesday’s morning commute, and standing water will cause cars to hydroplane. — Mike Lindblom, The Seattle Times, "Metro buses still on reduced snow schedules while slush brings new driving risks," 12 Feb. 2019 The portrait, taken by Matt Porteous, shows the family of five (including Prince Louis!) posing on a tree outside together. — Erica Gonzales, Harper's BAZAAR, "Prince George and Princess Charlotte Help Kate Middleton Cook Pasta," 5 Feb. 2019 Sharalee and her family not only completed an impressive, and unique, DIY project, but extended the life of a tree that otherwise would have been completely dug up and sent to the wood-chipper. — Madeleine Bokan, House Beautiful, "Tree Libraries Are The New Tree Houses," 13 Jan. 2019 On Thursday, Jonas shared a blissful video of his actress wife on a palm tree swing by the ocean. — Elise Taylor, Vogue, "Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas Continue Their Jet-Setting Streak With a Glamorous Caribbean Vacation," 11 Jan. 2019 An image of the royal family decorating a tree was also published that year, inspiring other British families to do the same. — Chanel Vargas, Town & Country, "15 Fascinating Facts You Didn't Know About Queen Victoria," 8 Jan. 2019 Somebody who doesn't need to calm down: the sloth, who is literally hanging out in a tree. — Anna Moeslein, Glamour, "The Bachelor Season Premiere Recap: Did You Know Colton's a Virgin?," 7 Jan. 2019 Martina, John, and their children do take part in the usual December festivities, like cutting down a tree and trimming it with sentimental ornaments and souvenirs. — Megan Stein, Country Living, "Martina McBride's House Is Filled with the Christmas Decorations of Your Dreams," 2 Dec. 2018 In an alleyway shaded by a weeping fig tree, Bún Cá Sâm Cây Si is known for delicious nem cá: deep-fried spring rolls filled with wood-ear mushrooms, minced pork, scallion, and tender fish. — Peter Jon Lindberg, Condé Nast Traveler, "Hanoi, Time and Again," 20 Nov. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

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 Since 2009, when a cougar was treed in western Wisconsin, the DNR has attempted to collect hair, blood, stool or other samples from the animals for genetic analyses. — Paul A. Smith, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Smith: Watchers on lookout for female cougars in Wisconsin," 1 Nov. 2017 Thanks to Treepedia, an online map launched by the MIT Senseable City Lab, inhabitants of 20 urban centers can compare the distribution of their city’s greenery to tree coverage in other places across the globe. — Brigit Katz, Smithsonian, "MIT’s ‘Treepedia’ Shows How Green Your City Grows," 25 Apr. 2017 National research also shows healthy trees can add between 7 and 11 percent to the value of a property, and homes with treed lots sell faster than those without trees. — Detroit Free Press, "Appeal of urban ‘tree canopies’ growing across Michigan," 11 Sep. 2017 After all, as they’ve been warned by their doctors, skin and blood test results reveal that those with peanut allergies are also often allergic to tree nuts. — Brian Handwerk, Smithsonian, "Tree Nut Allergies May Be Massively Overdiagnosed," 18 Apr. 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.