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
Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 25 Apr. 2024
In spite of its limits and because of them, a tree is an exuberant organic expression.
—Rachel Khong, The Atlantic, 25 Apr. 2024
Who wouldn’t love a guy who’d spent his time and energy trying to keep trees alive?
—Trish Deitch, Variety, 25 Apr. 2024
If tulips, daffodils and flowering trees don’t give you the hint, another reliable sign of spring in Lee’s Summit is the start of the Fourth Fridays Art Walks, offered April through August.
—Janice Phelan, Kansas City Star, 24 Apr. 2024
Unpicked fruit trees are maddeningly ubiquitous in Southern California’s neighborhoods, especially when those juicy orbs are within easy reach of passersby.
—Jeanette Marantos, Los Angeles Times, 24 Apr. 2024
For example, in the new conference room that hangs over the portico, a Cadillac goddess sculpture sits on a piece of elm from a tree that had been cut to make way for this building.
—Kristin Shaw, Popular Science, 24 Apr. 2024
Allow dandelion and clover plants, promoting bee pollination, to grow.
Plant trees that produce nectar or pollen for bee pollination.
—Jenna Prestininzi, Detroit Free Press, 24 Apr. 2024
Along the path, trees were downed damaging vehicles and a potion of the roof was blown off Mt Ulla Elementary School.
—Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 13 Apr. 2024
Delaney Nothaft, USA TODAY, 10 Sep. 2023
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
Noun
Enveloped in towering trees, the home’s various patios and decks are complemented by a faux-grassed area set in a sunny clearing with a waterfall that pours over a tumble of boulders into a small pond.
—Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 25 Apr. 2024
In spite of its limits and because of them, a tree is an exuberant organic expression.
—Rachel Khong, The Atlantic, 25 Apr. 2024
Who wouldn’t love a guy who’d spent his time and energy trying to keep trees alive?
—Trish Deitch, Variety, 25 Apr. 2024
If tulips, daffodils and flowering trees don’t give you the hint, another reliable sign of spring in Lee’s Summit is the start of the Fourth Fridays Art Walks, offered April through August.
—Janice Phelan, Kansas City Star, 24 Apr. 2024
Unpicked fruit trees are maddeningly ubiquitous in Southern California’s neighborhoods, especially when those juicy orbs are within easy reach of passersby.
—Jeanette Marantos, Los Angeles Times, 24 Apr. 2024
For example, in the new conference room that hangs over the portico, a Cadillac goddess sculpture sits on a piece of elm from a tree that had been cut to make way for this building.
—Kristin Shaw, Popular Science, 24 Apr. 2024
Allow dandelion and clover plants, promoting bee pollination, to grow.
Plant trees that produce nectar or pollen for bee pollination.
—Jenna Prestininzi, Detroit Free Press, 24 Apr. 2024
Along the path, trees were downed damaging vehicles and a potion of the roof was blown off Mt Ulla Elementary School.
—Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 13 Apr. 2024
Verb
Classifying these nuts can be vital, particularly for people who have severe allergies to tree nuts.
—Delaney Nothaft, USA TODAY, 10 Sep. 2023
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
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.
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 28 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids 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
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