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• aspen
  aspen

  noun

  any of various poplars, as Populus tremula, of Europe, and P. tremuloides quaking aspen or P. alba white aspen, of America, having soft wood and alternate ovate leaves that tremble in the slightest breeze.
• Aspen
  Aspen

  noun

  a town in central Colorado: ski resort.

aspen

¹ American  

[as-puhn] / ˈæs pən /

noun

1. any of various poplars, as Populus tremula, of Europe, and P. tremuloides quaking aspen or P. alba white aspen, of America, having soft wood and alternate ovate leaves that tremble in the slightest breeze.

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adjective

1. of or relating to the aspen.

2. trembling or quivering, like the leaves of the aspen.

Aspen ² American  

[as-puhn] / ˈæs pən /

noun

1. a town in central Colorado: ski resort.

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aspen British  

/ ˈæspən /

noun

1. Archaic name: asp. any of several trees of the salicaceous genus Populus, such as P. tremula of Europe, in which the leaves are attached to the stem by long flattened stalks so that they quiver in the wind

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adjective

1. archaic trembling

Etymology

Origin of aspen

1350–1400; Middle English aspen (adj.), Old English æspen; cognate with Old Frisian espen (adj.), espenbeam, Middle Dutch espenboom, Old High German espîn (adj.). See asp ², -en ²

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

aspen Aspen

The moth's caterpillars will only eat two plants - aspen and creeping willow - which makes it a challenge to conserve, according to Butterfly Conservation.

From BBC ● Aug. 14, 2026

In Yellowstone National Park, their return has been praised with reducing the overabundant elk population and allowing decimated trees such as willows and aspen to recover, which subsequently brought the return of beavers and songbirds.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 16, 2026

Yes, stands of aspen and willows are thriving again — in some places.

From New York Times ● Apr. 23, 2024

In many areas, deciduous shrubs and trees, like willow and aspen, are moving in after a fire.

From Science Daily ● Apr. 16, 2024

Next to my favorite sugar maple tree beside the bam is a tall aspen.

From "Walk Two Moons" by Sharon Creech

“One of my theories about this is that crafting gives you a lot of time to sit and think,” Aspen, a pattern designer and online creator, tells me.

From Slate ● Oct. 11, 2026

Three years ago, they launched their YouTube channel Aspen in the Moment, dedicated exclusively to breaking down the latest discourse in the crafting world.

From Slate ● Oct. 11, 2026

“It’s like an existential crisis,” says Jed Bernstein, who runs Theatre Aspen, a performing arts nonprofit.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 6, 2026

Planned construction along Interstate 70, which connects Eagle Airport and Aspen, will likely mean congestion.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 6, 2026

“It’s in Aspen at Victoria’s parents’ cabin, so it’s a bit of a drive.”

From "From Twinkle, with Love" by Sandhya Menon

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