maple

[mey-puhl]

noun

1. any of numerous trees or shrubs of the genus Acer, species of which are grown as shade or ornamental trees, for timber, or for sap.

2. the wood of any such tree.

3. the flavor of maple syrup or maple sugar.

4. Bowling Slang.,  pin.

maple

/ ˈmeɪpəl /

noun

1. any tree or shrub of the N temperate genus Acer, having winged seeds borne in pairs and lobed leaves: family Aceraceae

2. the hard close-grained wood of any of these trees, used for furniture and flooring

3. the flavour of the sap of the sugar maple

Other Word Forms

• maplelike adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of maple¹

before 900; Middle English mapel, Old English mapul-, in mapultrēow, mapulder maple tree, cognate with Old Saxon mapulder

Word History and Origins

Origin of maple¹

C14: from Old English mapel-, as in mapeltrēow maple tree

Example Sentences

He even shared some of his family’s maple syrup to use on Amtrak’s french toast at breakfast.

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Now, he will cut out the maple syrup and brown sugar he added to sweet potatoes.

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Set out a few small luxuries—cream or oat milk, maple syrup, cinnamon—and let people build their perfect cup.A simple, old-fashioned coffee-and-dessert bar feels charming, cozy and complete.

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It was covered with maple, sycamore, and pine trees, and during the spring and summer months, grass.

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Such was the case with this pasta sauce packed with autumnal flavors like squash, pumpkin, maple syrup, apple and sage.

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