poplar

American  

[pop-ler] / ˈpɒp lər /

noun

1. any of the rapidly growing, salicaceous trees of the genus Populus, usually characterized by the columnar or spirelike manner of growth of its branches.

2. the light, soft wood of any of these trees, used for pulp.

3. any of various similar trees, as the tulip tree.

4. the wood of any such tree.

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poplar British  

/ ˈpɒplə /

noun

1. any tree of the salicaceous genus Populus, of N temperate regions, having triangular leaves, flowers borne in catkins, and light soft wood See also aspen balsam poplar Lombardy poplar white poplar

2. any of various trees resembling the true poplars, such as the tulip tree

3. the wood of any of these trees

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Other Word Forms

• poplared
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of poplar

1350–1400; Middle English popler ( e ), variant of populer, equivalent to Middle English, Old English popul popple ² (< Latin pōpulus poplar) + -er -er ²; suffix apparently added on model of Middle French pouplier, equivalent to pouple poplar + -ier -ier ²

Example Sentences

Baldock, known as the "Pride of Poplar", became Britain's youngest ever world boxing champion at the age of 19 when he won the bantamweight title in 1927.

From BBC • Feb. 3, 2026

The emergency cases in Poplar still come the sisters’ way.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 23, 2025

Firefighters from Poplar, Millwall, Euston and surrounding fire stations attended the scene.

From BBC • Oct. 28, 2025

Her little home on Poplar Boulevard served as the beacon in a turbulent life that led her to solid ground.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 10, 2025

Everyone stands in pairs in Poplar Springs Middle School’s kitchen classroom, where I’ll be taking FACS—Family and Consumer Science—later this year.

From "A Place at the Table" by Saadia Faruqi and Laura Shovan