maple

noun

ma·​ple ˈmā-pəl 

: any of a genus (Acer of the family Sapindaceae, the soapberry family) of chiefly deciduous trees or shrubs with opposite leaves and a fruit of two united samaras

also : the hard light-colored close-grained wood of a maple used especially for flooring and furniture

Examples of maple in a Sentence

The maple leaf is an emblem of Canada.

a table made of maple

Recent Examples on the Web

Salge also notes no big issues with tar spot or fungus – things which can damage maple leaves. — Eric Fisher, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026

The menu includes a signature pumpkin spice latte along with tiramisu, hazelnut, maple and berry clementine flavors. — Carly Sauvageau, USA Today, 19 Aug. 2026

Chichibu sits in a basin with peaks on every side, bathed in the deep green of maple and Japanese beech trees on a wet summer morning. — Christopher Elliott, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2026

Some kinds of trees, such as honey locusts, hackberries, lindens and maples, are naturally more inclined to produce suckers. — Beth Botts, Chicago Tribune, 16 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English mapul-; akin to Old Norse mǫpurr maple

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing maple

• bird's-eye maple
• hard maple
• Japanese maple
• maple sugar
• maple syrup
• Norway maple
• red maple
• rock maple
• silver maple
• sugar maple
• tiger maple
• vine maple

Rhymes for maple

• papal
• staple

Kids Definition

maple

noun

ma·​ple ˈmā-pəl 

: any of a group of trees having deeply notched opposite leaves, dry fruits with two wings, and hard light-colored wood and including some from which maple syrup and maple sugar are obtained

also : the wood of a maple