maple
Americannoun
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maples
plural
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any of numerous trees or shrubs of the genus Acer, species of which are grown as shade or ornamental trees, for timber, or for sap.
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the wood of any such tree.
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the flavor of maple syrup or maple sugar.
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Bowling Slang. pin.
noun
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any tree or shrub of the N temperate genus Acer, having winged seeds borne in pairs and lobed leaves: family Aceraceae
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the hard close-grained wood of any of these trees, used for furniture and flooring
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the flavour of the sap of the sugar maple
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of maple
before 900; Middle English mapel, Old English mapul-, in mapultrēow, mapulder maple tree, cognate with Old Saxon mapulder
Explanation
While most people think of syrup when they see the word maple, it actually describes any tree or shrub in the Acer family with unique winged seeds that come in pairs. The wood from maple trees is prized for its strength and beauty, making it perfect for furniture and flooring. In addition to their stunning fall colors, maple trees produce sweet sap, especially from the sugar maple, which is used to make delicious maple syrup. The maple leaf is a symbol of Canada, proudly featured on the country's flag. Maple trees are appreciated for their practical uses and their natural beauty, making them a valuable part of nature.
Vocabulary lists containing maple
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
"More research is needed to confirm our findings and to investigate if other refined sugar alternatives, such as applesauce, honey, maple syrup or coconut sugar, may be effective alternatives."
From Science Daily ● Jul. 18, 2026
During a call with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, the astronauts said they shared maple cream cookies while passing the far side of the moon, a nod to astronaut Jeremy Hansen’s home country.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 11, 2026
We humans eat seven fishes on Christmas Eve, samosas on Eid al-Fitr and maple cookies behind the moon.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 9, 2026
The Canadian will also be taking maple syrup and maple cookies on his lunar voyage.
From BBC ● Mar. 30, 2026
And then my heart stopped, because there, under a red maple tree, was Tobias.
From "Maybe He Just Likes You" by Barbara Dee
Oaks support more than 1000 species, while maples offer food to over 300, including swallowtails and mourning cloaks.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 31, 2025
She was a master gardener, expert at transplanting Japanese maples, according to her neighbor, Patty Hall.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 15, 2025
In the shady hills of Appalachia, a small fruit tree grows in the shadow of taller oaks and maples.
From Salon ● Aug. 14, 2024
This year, the property added what it calls Treehouses, three accommodations perched about 15 feet above the ground amid oaks and maples, to its 11 existing suites and stand-alone stone cottage.
From New York Times ● May 26, 2024
She lay still for a long time, looking at the cloudless sky through the branches and leaves of green maples and sycamores.
From "Homecoming" by Cynthia Voigt
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
