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

The original liberty tree was named in Boston in 1765, when a large elm tree was used as a gathering place for protestors of the Stamp Act. —Orlando Sentinel Staff, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 June 2025

The ancient Ho-Chunk, who also inhabited modern-day Illinois and elsewhere, then turned to the arrow-straight elm, despite its unyielding, hardwood structure. —Jacqueline Kehoe, Smithsonian Magazine, 26 Dec. 2024

Inside the routing of the course — land lined by Oakmont’s perimeter of trees, and decorated by a few sycamores and oaks in front of the clubhouse — a couple of elms were left dotting the property. —Brendan Quinn, New York Times, 14 June 2025

Tent caterpillars on pecans, persimmons, walnuts and a few other trees will come next, and then lace bugs on elms and oaks. —Neil Sperry, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 May 2025

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

Rhymes for elm

• helm
• realm
• overwhelm

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