apple

noun

ap·​ple ˈa-pəl How to pronounce apple (audio)
often attributive
1
: the fleshy, usually rounded red, yellow, or green edible pome fruit of a usually cultivated tree (genus Malus) of the rose family
also : an apple tree compare crab apple
2
: a fruit (such as a star apple) or other vegetative growth (such as an oak apple) suggestive of an apple
Phrases
apple of one's eye
: one that is highly cherished
his daughter is the apple of his eye

Examples of apple in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web This tequila is said to have notes of fruit on the nose, followed by bread, strudel, and apple pie on the palate. Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 20 Mar. 2024 For instance, that fragrance that smells like apple cake? Molly Young, New York Times, 19 Mar. 2024 In the post, Lively launched oak smoked lemonade and apple ginger sour cherry mocktails and smoky pineapple tequila and oak smoked lemonade bourbon cocktails. Jay Stahl, USA TODAY, 16 Mar. 2024 That was his lightbulb moment—like Archimedes in his bathtub, like Isaac Newton under the apple tree—that gave us the first karaoke machine. Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 16 Mar. 2024 Since then he's been inundated with apple juice, Hot Wheels, and dinosaur toys from his tens of thousands of followers. Alex Ross, Peoplemag, 15 Mar. 2024 The move could simplify what is currently a difficult process of comparing apples to oranges, the FCC said. Brian Fung, CNN, 14 Mar. 2024 Comparing a rattlesnake’s slow slithering to its rapid rattling avoids the problem of comparing apples to oranges, or anchovies to orcas. Quanta Magazine, 11 Mar. 2024 Jollibee is known for its fried chicken — called Chicken Joy — and Filipino takes on spaghetti (using hot dogs and a sweet sauce) and dessert pies (filled with mango or ube instead of apple). Lawrence Yee, Peoplemag, 5 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'apple.' 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

Middle English appel, from Old English æppel; akin to Old High German apful apple, Old Irish ubull, Old Church Slavonic ablŭko

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of apple was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near apple

Cite this Entry

“Apple.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/apple. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

apple

noun
ap·​ple ˈap-əl How to pronounce apple (audio)
: a rounded fruit with a red, yellow, or green skin, firm white flesh and a seedy core
also : the tree of the rose family that bears this fruit

Medical Definition

apple

noun
ap·​ple ˈap-əl How to pronounce apple (audio)
: the fleshy usually rounded and red, yellow, or green edible pome fruit of a tree (genus Malus) of the rose family
also : an apple tree

More from Merriam-Webster on apple

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