elm

noun

ˈelm 

1

: any of a genus (Ulmus of the family Ulmaceae, the elm family) of usually large deciduous north temperate-zone trees with alternate stipulate leaves and fruit that is a samara

2

: the wood of an elm

Illustration of elm

• elm 1

Examples of elm in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Fall is the best time to prune elms; elm bark beetles do not fly in autumn. —Megan Hughes, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Oct. 2024

Early settlers gave Topeka its nickname upon observing its sunlit rolling hills and autumn elms. —Jamie Siebrase, The Denver Post, 6 Oct. 2024

The landscape also includes 1,000 bamboo plants from six different species and hundreds of additional trees ranging from small 10-foot trees to 30-foot elms. —Haadiza Ogwude, The Enquirer, 1 Oct. 2024

The elm was torn, up high, and from the tear ran sap the warbler pecked at, for the sweet itself or for the insects smudged in it. —Caleb Crain, The New York Review of Books, 26 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English; akin to Old High German elme elm, Latin ulmus

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing elm

• American elm
• Dutch elm disease
• elm bark beetle
• elm leaf beetle
• elm yellows
• slippery elm
• smaller European elm bark beetle
• winged elm

Kids Definition

elm

noun

ˈelm 

1

: any of a genus of large deciduous trees that have toothed leaves and nearly circular one-seeded winged fruits and are often grown as shade trees

especially : american elm

2

: the wood of an elm