sycamore

noun

syc·​a·​more ˈsi-kə-ˌmȯr How to pronounce sycamore (audio)
1
or less commonly sycomore : a fig tree (Ficus sycomorus) of Africa and the Middle East that is the sycamore of Scripture and has edible fruit similar but inferior to the common fig
2
: a Eurasian maple (Acer pseudoplatanus) with long racemes of showy yellowish-green flowers that is widely planted as a shade tree
3
: plane entry 4
especially : a very large spreading tree (Platanus occidentalis) chiefly of the eastern and central U.S. with 3- to 5-lobed broadly ovate leaves

Examples of sycamore in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Along this path, numerous trees were snapped, topped or severely damaged, including a sycamore tree 3 feet in diameter that was uprooted in winds estimated at 90 mph, according to the NWS. Todd Karpovich, Baltimore Sun, 15 July 2025 In sycamores, the spores often infect not just leaves but twigs and buds. Beth Botts, Chicago Tribune, 21 June 2025 But here, in the narrows of the canyon, where Temescal Creek tickled the roots of sycamores and cooled the air beneath the heavy branches of valley oaks, Young lighted up with the enthusiasm of an amateur botanist. Greg Goldin, Los Angeles Times, 13 June 2025 Enormous live oaks shade many of the curving pathways, and sycamores, replanted during the 1990s renovation of the Capitol Complex, line the formal processional walk to the south of the baroque domed structure. Michael Barnes, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for sycamore

Word History

Etymology

Middle English sikamour, sicomore, borrowed from Anglo-French sicamour, borrowed from Latin sȳcomorus, borrowed from Greek sȳkómoros "sycamore fig" (sȳkómoron "fruit of the sycamore fig"), probably alteration by folk etymology of sȳkámīnos sycamine, with the ending conformed to móron "black mulberry, blackberry" — more at mulberry

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of sycamore was in the 14th century

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Cite this Entry

“Sycamore.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sycamore. Accessed 4 Aug. 2025.

Kids Definition

sycamore

noun
syc·​a·​more ˈsik-ə-ˌmō(ə)r How to pronounce sycamore (audio)
-ˌmȯ(ə)r
1
: a Eurasian maple with yellowish green flowers that is widely planted as a shade tree
2
: a large spreading tree of the eastern and central U.S. that has light-brown bark peeling off in thin flakes and small round brown fruits hanging on long stalks

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