tree

1 of 2

noun

plural trees
1
a
: a woody perennial plant having a single usually elongate main stem generally with few or no branches on its lower part
b
: a shrub or herb of arborescent form
rose trees
a banana tree
2
: something in the form of or resembling a tree: such as
a
: a diagram or graph that branches usually from a simple stem or vertex without forming loops or polygons
a genealogical tree
phylogenetic trees
b
: a much-branched system of channels especially in an animal body
the vascular tree
3
a(1)
: a piece of wood (such as a post or pole) usually adapted to a particular use or forming part of a structure or implement
(2)
archaic : the cross on which Jesus was crucified
b
archaic : gallows
4
treeless adjective
treelike adjective

see also out of one's tree

tree

2 of 2

verb

treed; treeing

transitive verb

1
a
: to drive to or up a tree
treed by a bull
dogs treeing game
b
: to put into a position of extreme disadvantage : corner
especially : to bring to bay
2
: to furnish or fit (a shoe) with a tree

Examples of tree in a Sentence

Noun He chopped down the tree.
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.
Noun
In wooded areas, stay close to lower stands of trees. Bay Area Weather Report, The Mercury News, 6 Mar. 2025 In Texas, severe thunderstorms Tuesday caused significant damage to buildings and gusty winds brought down trees and power lines across several cities, including the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Karina Tsui, CNN, 6 Mar. 2025
Verb
And Cass was doubtless right — Maggie had treed a chipmunk and wouldn’t stay even with that. Frank C. Hibben, Outdoor Life, 27 Feb. 2025 His link with the outside world was the thin telephone wire that swung from tree to tree down the Bland Canyon road. Frank C. Hibben, Outdoor Life, 13 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for tree

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Old English trēow; akin to Old Norse trē tree, Greek drys, Sanskrit dāru wood

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1575, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of tree was before the 12th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Tree.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tree. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

tree

1 of 2 noun
1
a
: a woody plant that lives for years and has a usually single tall main stem with few or no branches on its lower part
b
: a shrub or herb that has a form like a tree
rose trees
a banana tree
2
: a piece of wood (as a post or pole) put to a particular use of forming part of a structure or device
3
: something shaped like or arranged in a form like a tree
especially : a diagram or graph in branching form compare factor tree, family tree sense 2
treeless adjective
treelike adjective

tree

2 of 2 verb
treed; treeing
1
: to drive up or as if up a tree
2
: to furnish or fit with a tree
tree an axle

Medical Definition

tree

noun
: an anatomical system or structure having many branches
the vascular tree
see biliary tree, bronchial tree, tracheobronchial tree

Biographical Definition

Tree

biographical name

Sir Herbert (Draper) Beerbohm 1853–1917 English actor-manager

More from Merriam-Webster on tree

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