poplar

American  

[pop-ler] / ˈpɒp lər /

noun

• poplars
  plural

1. any of the rapidly growing, salicaceous trees of the genus Populus, usually characterized by the columnar or spirelike manner of growth of its branches.

2. the light, soft wood of any of these trees, used for pulp.

3. any of various similar trees, as the tulip tree.

4. the wood of any such tree.

---

poplar British  

/ ˈpɒplə /

noun

1. any tree of the salicaceous genus Populus, of N temperate regions, having triangular leaves, flowers borne in catkins, and light soft wood See also aspen balsam poplar Lombardy poplar white poplar

2. any of various trees resembling the true poplars, such as the tulip tree

3. the wood of any of these trees

---

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• poplared
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• poplars
  plural

Etymology

Origin of poplar

1350–1400; Middle English popler ( e ), variant of populer, equivalent to Middle English, Old English popul popple ² (< Latin pōpulus poplar) + -er -er ²; suffix apparently added on model of Middle French pouplier, equivalent to pouple poplar + -ier -ier ²

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

poplar poplars

The book comes with engraved wooden medallions sourced from poplar trees at Monticello, Thomas Jefferson’s estate, that are illustrated by contemporary artists with thematic imagery.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 4, 2026

At this time of the year, Chinese social media is awash with photographs of Xinjiang's poplar forests bathed in autumn's amber glow.

From BBC ● Nov. 1, 2025

The Florentine Renaissance artist, engineer and polymath made the most famous picture of all time, a painted poplar panel that hangs in virtual isolation in the Salle des États at Paris’ Louvre Museum.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 18, 2024

"Spending a little more for a more carbon-rich feedstock like poplar still yields more economic benefits than a cheaper feedstock like corn stover, because you can make more fuel and chemicals from it," Cai said.

From Science Daily ● Feb. 7, 2024

He had a hairy, tar-black mole on the underside of one nostril and a heavy rough mustache the color of poplar bark.

From "Catch-22" by Joseph Heller

A few minutes away, we find Camping L’Océan: smaller, quieter and shaded by tall poplars.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 28, 2025

A smaller reservoir would spare some of that prized territory, preserving native willows, poplars, and other vegetation that are now colonizing hundreds of square kilometers of the drying basin.

From Science Magazine ● Jan. 3, 2024

The team discovered that, on a warming planet, plants like oaks and poplars will emit more of a compound that exacerbates poor air quality, contributing to problematic particulate matter and low-atmosphere ozone.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 5, 2023

Gigot’s poems gyrate from intimate introspection to cold science, seemingly bubbling up from swampy pastures framed by cottonwoods and poplars.

From Seattle Times ● Jun. 16, 2023

Before them a wide grey shadow loomed, and they heard an endless rustle of leaves like poplars in the breeze.

From "The Fellowship of the Ring" by J.R.R. Tolkien