Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

white alder

noun

Definition of white alder 

1a : any of several native alders (as Alnus rhombifolia) of western North America

b : gray alder

2 : any shrub or tree of the genus Clethra

3 : a southern African tree (Platylophus trifoliatus) of the family Cunoniaceae

4 : privet andromeda

5 : a winterberry (Ilex verticillata)

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

First Known Use of white alder

1746, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about white alder

Share white alder

Statistics for white alder

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for white alder

The first known use of white alder was in 1746

See more words from the same year

Comments on white alder

What made you want to look up white alder? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

zibeline

a soft lustrous wool fabric with mohair

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Late Autumn 2018 Words of the Day Quiz

  • frosted-autumn-leaves
  • Which is a synonym of yahoo?
True or False

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Citation

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games