espalier

1 of 2

noun

es·​pal·​ier i-ˈspal-yər How to pronounce espalier (audio)
-ˌyā
1
: a plant (such as a fruit tree) trained to grow flat against a support (such as a wall)
2
: a railing or trellis on which fruit trees or shrubs are trained to grow flat

espalier

2 of 2

verb

espaliered; espaliering; espaliers

transitive verb

1
: to train as an espalier
2
: to furnish with an espalier

Examples of espalier in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
There's also a four-person suite with its own kitchenette and a balcony that overlooks the 300-acre organic farm’s espalier and pergola; classic inn-style rooms—the Wildflower and Wolftree lodges—come with king beds, steam showers, and soaking tubs. Richard Morgan, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 July 2022
Verb
Klein and Fulnecky have espaliered fruit trees — McIntosh and Yellow Transparent apples and a Van cherry tree, though the robins tend to get to those first. Amy Pennington, The Seattle Times, 19 May 2019 Almost any fruit or citrus tree can be espaliered, but some are better suited. Joan Morris, The Mercury News, 19 June 2019 Carlson espaliered fruit trees along the garage to squeeze more into the compact backyard. Debbie Arrington, sacbee, 21 Apr. 2018 The Orange Home Grown Educational Farm plans a free workshop at 1 p.m. Jan. 14 on how to espalier fruit-bearing trees. Orange County Register, 14 Jan. 2017 Orange Home Grown offers free classes once a month, often with master gardeners, such as one recently on how to espalier and another on composting. Wendy Fawthrop, Orange County Register, 19 May 2017

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'espalier.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

French, ultimately from Italian spalla shoulder, from Late Latin spatula shoulder blade — more at epaulet

First Known Use

Noun

1662, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1810, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of espalier was in 1662

Dictionary Entries Near espalier

Cite this Entry

“Espalier.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/espalier. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

espalier

noun
es·​pal·​ier
is-ˈpal-yər,
-ˌyā
: a plant (as a fruit tree) trained to grow flat against a support (as a wall or trellis)
espalier verb

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