: 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
Planters containing other trees and perennials, including hazel, hawthorn, field maples, ferns, and grasses, will continue the forest theme through the colonnade to the main entrance.
—
Anne Doran, ARTnews.com, 14 May 2026
The ball’s red, blue and green graphics correspond to the three host countries, with maple leaf, star and eagle motifs representing Canada, the United States and Mexico.
—John Eric Goff, The Conversation, 13 May 2026
Our choice today is maple cinnamon French toast.
—Ed Silverman, STAT, 12 May 2026
This latter-day diner is true to the genre, down to its Formica, chrome and gum-cracking soul, with breakfast understood as the apotheosis of the day and the almost supernaturally fluffy pancakes, anointed in syrup and salted honey-maple butter, available until closing time.
—Ligaya Mishan, New York Times, 11 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for maple
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Anne Doran, ARTnews.com, 14 May 2026
The ball’s red, blue and green graphics correspond to the three host countries, with maple leaf, star and eagle motifs representing Canada, the United States and Mexico.
—John Eric Goff, The Conversation, 13 May 2026
Our choice today is maple cinnamon French toast.
—Ed Silverman, STAT, 12 May 2026
This latter-day diner is true to the genre, down to its Formica, chrome and gum-cracking soul, with breakfast understood as the apotheosis of the day and the almost supernaturally fluffy pancakes, anointed in syrup and salted honey-maple butter, available until closing time.
—Ligaya Mishan, New York Times, 11 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for maple
Cite this Entry
“Maple.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/maple. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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
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