: 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
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By comparison, woods like cottonwood, willows, pines and American elm burn faster and put out less heat in the process.—Neil Sperry, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 31 Jan. 2025 Then, in 2005, Benenson did it again — killing four trees, including an English elm that dated to the park’s original 1844 plantings.—Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 29 July 2024 But a third of the survey’s dugouts have turned out to be hardwoods, including oak, hickory and elm; the latter is known for its tough, interlocking grain—and its modern reputation for requiring the use of power tools.—Jacqueline Kehoe, Smithsonian Magazine, 26 Dec. 2024 In Central Texas, look for changing colors on bald cypress trees — which typically grow along our rivers and lakes — red oaks, pecan trees and cedar elms.—Bob Gee, Axios, 16 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for elm
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
Time Traveler
The first known use of elm was
before the 12th century
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