crab apple

American  

noun

1. a small, sour, wild apple.

2. any of various small, tart, cultivated varieties of apple, used for making jelly and preserves.

3. any tree bearing such fruit.

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crab apple British  

noun

1. any of several rosaceous trees of the genus Malus that have white, pink, or red flowers and small sour apple-like fruits

2. the fruit of any of these trees, used to make jam

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Etymology

Origin of crab apple

First recorded in 1705–15

Example Sentences

"Joe, who works for me, came in and he had one little crab apple," Dame Judi told the BBC.

From BBC • Dec. 27, 2024

He pointed out crab apple blossoms, which made an appearance in dessert.

From Washington Post • Jul. 8, 2022

The account shared a photo that some said was taken from a vantage point that neglected to show how the cherry blossom and crab apple trees were removed.

From Salon • Aug. 9, 2021

Allan noted that his current project, the red flesh apple, contains a single gene taken from a crab apple which increases its antioxidants.

From New York Times • Jul. 20, 2021

We stand in Grace’s driveway, beside her dark pink crab apple tree.

From "Cat's Eye" by Margaret Atwood