black locust
Americannoun
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Also called false acacia. Also called yellow locust. a North American tree, Robinia pseudoacacia, of the legume family, having pinnate leaves and clusters of fragrant white flowers.
Etymology
Origin of black locust
An Americanism dating back to 1780–90
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.
The black locust tree can take in atmospheric nitrogen and convert it to a type more accessible to plants.
From New York Times • Sep. 16, 2022
There are no hairpin turns, no pawpaws or black locust trees.
From Salon • Nov. 25, 2020
Towering black locust, buckthorn, Japanese hedge parsley, honeysuckle, garlic mustard and dame’s rocket have all played a role in the congestion.
From Washington Times • Jul. 18, 2020
Invasive autumn olive shrubs and the occasional black locust tree were among the only plants that managed to eke out a living in the hard-packed rubble.
From Washington Post • Feb. 13, 2020
Standing as rigid as a black locust stump, and with his long ears fanned open, he started sniffing the air.
From "Summer of the Monkeys" by Wilson Rawls
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.
