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
Noun
These trees have a presence not unlike Tolkien’s ents, those humanoid-like tree creatures. Catherine Fairweather, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Mar. 2024 We Energies estimates more than 150,000 dead and dying ash trees pose a risk to its power lines. Karl Ebert, Journal Sentinel, 20 Mar. 2024 Beyond the cherry blossoms, spring is still young and many more trees and plants have yet to flower — the Yoshino cherries are among the first to bloom. Ian Livingston, Washington Post, 20 Mar. 2024 The area was once a riotous tangle of green trees and rare plants that more closely resembled a forest than a desert. Alex Wigglesworth, Los Angeles Times, 19 Mar. 2024 Beyond the patio, towering trees and thickets of foliage around an expanse of lawn provide excellent privacy from the surrounding homes. Mark David, Robb Report, 19 Mar. 2024 Under the shade of an allée of ancient beech trees, meanwhile, spots of bright-pink wild cyclamen blister the mossy ground like the paint dabs on a pointillist's canvas. Hamish Bowles, Vogue, 19 Mar. 2024 Their signature motif, going simply by area, is a pointillist carpet of colors, which may signal a cluster of pear trees or a watery reflection à la Monet. Jackson Arn, The New Yorker, 18 Mar. 2024 Deciduous trees are best moved no later than late winter, at around this time. Joshua Siskin, Orange County Register, 8 Mar. 2024
Verb
Classifying these nuts can be vital, particularly for people who have severe allergies to tree nuts. Delaney Nothaft, USA TODAY, 10 Sep. 2023 In western north and central Texas, the warning was set to lift at 9 a.m. on Thursday, though power outages and tree damage across the area were still possible due to the ice. Marina Pitofsky, USA TODAY, 3 Feb. 2023 The tornado did mainly tree damage in the area and dissipated after crossing County Road 113. Leigh Morgan, al, 8 Jan. 2023 Bitters are liquors flavored with a combination of herbs and other plants — sometimes even tree bark and roots. Eric Betz, Discover Magazine, 7 Oct. 2020 Scientists called dendrochronologists focus on assigning calendar years to tree rings and interpreting data within those rings. Jared Farmer, Smithsonian Magazine, 3 Jan. 2023 People who are not sensitive or allergic to tree nuts can still eat the cookies. Chris Smith, BGR, 1 Nov. 2022 People allergic to tree nuts will develop symptoms after eating products containing these ingredients. Chris Smith, BGR, 27 Oct. 2022 Not only is the money tree a beautiful addition to any home style, it's also been found to bring luck and good fortune to its owners. Cailey Lindberg, Good Housekeeping, 13 Oct. 2022

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'tree.' 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

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

Dictionary Entries Near tree

Cite this Entry

“Tree.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tree. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

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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