arbor

¹ American  

[ahr-ber] / ˈɑr bər /

especially British, arbour

noun

1. a leafy, shady recess formed by tree branches, shrubs, etc.

2. a latticework bower intertwined with climbing vines and flowers.

3. Obsolete. a grass plot; lawn; garden; orchard.

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arbor ² American  

[ahr-ber] / ˈɑr bər /

noun

1. Machinery.

   1. a bar, shaft, or axis that holds, turns, or supports a rotating cutting tool or grinding wheel, often having a tapered shank fitting tightly into the spindle of a machine tool.

   2. a beam, shaft, axle, or spindle.

2. Metallurgy. a reinforcing member of a core or mold.

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arbor ³ American  

[ahr-ber] / ˈɑr bər /

noun

Botany.

arbores plural

1. a tree.

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arbor ¹ British  

/ ˈɑːbə /

noun

1. a rotating shaft in a machine or power tool on which a milling cutter or grinding wheel is fitted

2. a rotating shaft or mandrel on which a workpiece is fitted for machining

3. metallurgy a part, piece, or structure used to reinforce the core of a mould

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arbor ² British  

/ ˈɑːbə /

noun

1. the US spelling of arbour

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• arboresque
  adjective

Inflected Forms

noun

• arbores
  plural

Etymology

Origin of arbor¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English (h)erber, erba(i)re, arbere “(flower) garden, pleasure garden, herb garden,” Anglo-French (h)erber, Old French (h)erbier “grassy place, herb garden”; respelling with -or under the influence of arbor ³

Origin of arbor²

First recorded in 1650–60; from French, arbre “tree, axis,” from Latin arbor “tree, mast, (spear) shaft, oar”; respelling of earlier arber, arbre by association with arbor ³

Origin of arbor³

First recorded in 1660–70; from New Latin, Latin; see also arbor ² ( def. )

Explanation

An arbor is a garden structure on which plants and vines can grow. Sitting under an arbor can help you cool off when you're strolling through a garden on a hot, sunny day. You may have come across the word arbor in the context of a garden structure, like a trellis or pergola. However, if you've heard of the holiday known as "Arbor Day," you know that an arbor is also a tree. These two meanings come from two different roots: the wooden arch type of arbor comes from the Latin herba, "grass or herb," while the tree arbor comes directly from the Latin arbor. Simply enough, it means "tree."

Example Sentences

ANN ARBOR, Mich.—Anita and Ron Delph were looking out their window recently at the familiar sight of a robust tree canopy that lines just about every street in this picturesque college town.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 12, 2026

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Before Jim Harbaugh built Michigan back into a national power, the coach was nearly kicked to the curb in Ann Arbor, Mich. Patience with Harbaugh’s plans wore thin.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 20, 2024

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Naz Hillmon had 29 points and 11 rebounds to help No. 9 Michigan take over first place in the Big Ten with a 71-59 victory over 13th-ranked Maryland on Sunday.

From Washington Times • Feb. 20, 2022

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Even on Rivalry Saturday, some things were certain.

From New York Times • Nov. 27, 2021

ANN ARBOR, a city and the county-seat of Washtenaw county, Michigan, U.S.A., on the Huron river, about 38 m.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 2, Slice 2 "Anjar" to "Apollo" by Various

Related Words

• bed
• box
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• shelf