elm
Americannoun
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any tree of the genus Ulmus, as U. procera English elm, characterized by the gradually spreading columnar manner of growth of its branches.
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the wood of such a tree.
noun
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any ulmaceous tree of the genus Ulmus, occurring in the N hemisphere, having serrated leaves and winged fruits (samaras): cultivated for shade, ornament, and timber
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the hard heavy wood of this tree
Etymology
Origin of elm
before 1000; Middle English, Old English; cognate with Old High German elm; akin to Old Norse almr, Latin ulmus
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.
Their findings show that temperate woodland species, including oak, elm, and hazel, were present much earlier than suggested by pollen records from Britain.
From Science Daily • Apr. 17, 2026
Stamp said part of the reason for the species' decline is they prefer very tall elm trees, which flower.
From BBC • Apr. 16, 2026
However, Dutch elm disease means many trees die before they reach their full height.
From BBC • Apr. 16, 2026
And when things feel hopeless, we step outside our door and watch the golden light stream through our old California elm.
From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 21, 2025
In the sunlight, I stared at the old elm tree ahead of me and smiled, because to some degree, Fullbrook had done its job.
From "Tradition" by Brendan Kiely
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.
