sugar maple

American  

noun

1. any of several maples having a sweet sap, especially Acer saccharum (the state tree of New York, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wisconsin), having a short trunk and long, curving branches, yielding a hard wood used for making furniture and being the chief source of maple sugar.

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sugar maple British  

noun

1. a North American maple tree, Acer saccharum, that is grown as a source of sugar, which is extracted from the sap, and for its hard wood

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• sugar-maple
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of sugar maple

An Americanism dating back to 1725–35

Example Sentences

Old growth forests of sugar maple, birch and hemlock towered over our tents, cushioned our trails with pine needles and scented our days.

From Seattle Times • May 24, 2024

This nest, high in a sugar maple in the hospital’s courtyard, was massive—and looked like metal.

From Scientific American • Jul. 18, 2023

Standing under the old sugar maple, I want to sing a hymn.

From New York Times • Nov. 24, 2022

"It doesn't mean we're gonna lose sugar maple throughout its range. It will still exist. It will still thrive in many places."

From Salon • Jul. 13, 2022

I’ve been eyeing thin strips of sugar maple in a dreamy cream color to use for my floor.

From "The House That Lou Built" by Mae Respicio