trellis

American  

[trel-is] / ˈtrɛl ɪs /

noun

trellises plural

1. a frame or structure of latticework; lattice.

2. a framework of this kind used as a support for growing vines or plants.

3. a summerhouse, gazebo, arch, etc., made chiefly or completely of latticework.

4. Heraldry. a charge of bendlets overlying bendlets sinister, the whole being cloué at the crossings.

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verb (used with object)

1. to furnish with a trellis.

2. to enclose in a trellis.

3. to train or support on a trellis.

4. to form into or like a trellis.

trellis British  

/ ˈtrɛlɪs /

noun

1. a structure or pattern of latticework, esp one used to support climbing plants

2. an arch made of latticework

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verb

1. to interweave (strips of wood, etc) to make a trellis

2. to provide or support with a trellis

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• trellis-like
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• trellises
  plural

Etymology

Origin of trellis

1350–1400; Middle English trelis < Middle French (noun) < Late Latin trilīcius (for Latin trilīx ) woven with three threads, equivalent to Latin tri- tri- + līci ( um ) thread + -us adj. suffix

Explanation

A trellis is a type of structure used to guide and support climbing plants such as ivy. Trellis is related to words for woven fabrics, and that can help you remember how a trellis looks: the material, usually a type of wood, is criss-crossed in a latticework. The purpose of the trellis is to support climbing plants, which can't stand straight like a tree or houseplant. With the aid of the trellis, the climbing plant wraps around the trellis and adds decoration to a garden. Sometimes trellis is used as a metaphor for other kinds of support.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

trellis trellises

The couple are also planning to put a pool and “inset spa” in the backyard, while also building a pool deck and a boardwalk, as well as a trellis.

From MarketWatch ● Dec. 17, 2025

A plant-covered trellis, known as “the hanging garden,” provides a more compressed moment of pause.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 18, 2025

“Instead of putting up a trellis where plants climb up, we thought ‘Why don’t we plant it on top and have it climb down,’ ” Johnsen said.

From Seattle Times ● May 22, 2024

Another video showed Shreeves bashing her neighbours' trellis with a broom and causing a ladder to clatter into a flowerbed.

From BBC ● Feb. 3, 2023

At the far end Matt saw an enormous grapevine sprawled over a man- made trellis.

From "The House of the Scorpion" by Nancy Farmer

Another complication is that to accommodate robotic pickers, many farmers would need to plant new orchards with apples growing on trellises rather than in rows of traditional lollipop-shaped trees.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 29, 2025

We come to a row house with a garden filled with leafy plants growing up trellises and flowerpots on each of the steps.

From Slate ● Oct. 27, 2025

And many people have gotten creative with containers, growing tomatoes and lemon trees in pots or supported by trellises, strawberries in hanging baskets and even wildflowers in wide containers.

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 12, 2025

Iron gates and trellises that utilize curled lines create a romantic feel, especially when paired with climbing roses.

From Seattle Times ● Sep. 8, 2023

The famous trellises of the city hung heavy with grapes.

From "The Many Assassinations of Samir, the Seller of Dreams" by Daniel Nayeri

Related Words

• arbor
• lattice