arbor

1 of 3

noun (1)

ar·​bor ˈär-bər How to pronounce arbor (audio)
: a shelter of vines or branches or of latticework covered with climbing shrubs or vines

Illustration of arbor

Illustration of arbor
  • 1arbor

arbor

2 of 3

noun (2)

1
: a spindle or axle of a wheel
2
: a main shaft or beam
3
: a shaft on which a revolving cutting tool is mounted
4
: a spindle on a cutting machine that holds the work to be cut

arbor-

3 of 3

combining form

variants or arbori-
: tree
arboriculture

Examples of arbor in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Noun
The vertical hypotenuse also goes straight through the arbor of the power reserve gauge. Allen Farmelo, Robb Report, 24 Oct. 2024 Trees will be delivered with stakes, ties, arbor guards and an instructional DVD on tree planting and maintenance. Jeanette Marantos, Los Angeles Times, 26 Sep. 2024 Plant grapes on an arbor so the ripening fruit dangles within easy reach for picking. Anne Readel, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Aug. 2024 Don’t let vines climb trees and shrubs; train them to arbors and trellises. 56. Tom MacCubbin, Orlando Sentinel, 27 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for arbor 

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English erber, herber garden, from Anglo-French, from herbe herb, grass

Noun (2)

Latin, tree, shaft

Combining form

Latin arbor

First Known Use

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1659, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of arbor was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near arbor

Cite this Entry

“Arbor.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/arbor. Accessed 14 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

arbor

noun
ar·​bor
ˈär-bər
: a shelter of vines or branches or a structure of crossed wood or metal strips covered with climbing shrubs or vines

Medical Definition

arbor

noun
ar·​bor ˈär-bər How to pronounce arbor (audio)
: a branching anatomical structure resembling a tree
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