apple

noun

ap·​ple ˈa-pəl How to pronounce apple (audio)
often attributive
1
: the fleshy, usually rounded red, yellow, or green edible pome fruit of a usually cultivated tree (genus Malus) of the rose family
also : an apple tree compare crab apple
2
: a fruit (such as a star apple) or other vegetative growth (such as an oak apple) suggestive of an apple
Phrases
apple of one's eye
: one that is highly cherished
his daughter is the apple of his eye

Examples of apple in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The bushy shrub usually grows on trees with soft bark like hawthorn, linden, poplar, and apple trees. Sheryl Geerts, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 Dec. 2024 Customers have a choice between beef tenderloin with red wine sauce and sage and apple turkey breast with gravy, as well as a variety of sides, bread and desserts. Haadiza Ogwude, The Enquirer, 13 Dec. 2024 Arrange salad: Arrange spinach mixture on a large serving platter and top with apple slices, blue cheese, cranberries, and pecans. Elizabeth Mervosh, Southern Living, 13 Dec. 2024 Pfingsten said species of concern that may have been spread by both storms include the Burmese python, the giant apple snail and the Asian swamp eel. Bill Kearney, Sun Sentinel, 11 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for apple 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English appel, from Old English æppel; akin to Old High German apful apple, Old Irish ubull, Old Church Slavic ablŭko

First Known Use

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of apple was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near apple

Cite this Entry

“Apple.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/apple. Accessed 24 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

apple

noun
ap·​ple ˈap-əl How to pronounce apple (audio)
: a rounded fruit with a red, yellow, or green skin, firm white flesh and a seedy core
also : the tree of the rose family that bears this fruit

Medical Definition

apple

noun
ap·​ple ˈap-əl How to pronounce apple (audio)
: the fleshy usually rounded and red, yellow, or green edible pome fruit of a tree (genus Malus) of the rose family
also : an apple tree

More from Merriam-Webster on apple

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