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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

Example Sentences

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

It has been trying to restore the woodlands by introducing downy birch, sessile oak, hazel, willow, aspen and alder as well as endangered tree species such as Arran whitebeam.

From BBC • Apr. 28, 2025

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

He couldn’t identify most of it—except die evergreens—and some leafy trees he thought might be aspen.

From "Hatchet" by Gary Paulsen