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black locust

American  
[blak loh-kuhst] / ˈblæk ˈloʊ kəst /

noun

  1. 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.

  2. honey locust.


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.

See Examples For:

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

Going over to the post, I saw it was a large black locust put there many years ago to hang the gate.

From "Where the Red Fern Grows" by Wilson Rawls

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