aspen

noun

as·​pen ˈa-spən 

: any of several poplars (especially Populus tremula of Europe and P. tremuloides and P. grandidentata of North America) with leaves that flutter in the lightest wind because of their flattened petioles

Examples of aspen in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Populus, designed to look like an aspen tree, was built using recycled materials, and tens of thousands of trees have been planted in Gunnison County to offset the emissions from construction. —Mindy Sink, The Denver Post, 17 Feb. 2025

The word aspen comes from the Old English word æspe. —Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 24 Jan. 2025

The aspen is the preferred tree for making a haabjas, or traditional dugout canoe – an art that is now endangered. —Avedis Hadjian, The Christian Science Monitor, 9 Jan. 2025

State and federal agencies are limited in their ability to fence off aspen stands in the wilderness area, so forest managers have turned to these hunting permits as a tool to help the young aspen in reaching maturity. —John Leos, The Arizona Republic, 18 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, of an aspen, from asp aspen, from Old English æspe; akin to Old High German aspa aspen, Russian osina

First Known Use

1593, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing aspen

• quaking aspen

Kids Definition

aspen

noun

as·​pen ˈas-pən 

: any of several poplars with leaves that flutter in the lightest breeze

Geographical Definition

Aspen

geographical name

As·​pen ˈa-spən 

resort city in west central Colorado population 6658