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
see also out of one's tree
treed; treeing
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
David Bressan, Forbes, 20 Oct. 2024
El Niño raised temperatures and led to drought stress on the cocoa trees; torrential rains spread black pod, a fungal disease that affects cocoa trees and reduces yields; dry and dusty trade winds shaded the crop from sunlight and impacted development.
—Erika Tulfo, CNN, 20 Oct. 2024
Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 24 Sep. 2024
Classifying these nuts can be vital, particularly for people who have severe allergies to tree nuts.
—Delaney Nothaft, USA TODAY, 10 Sep. 2023
See all Example Sentences for tree 
Noun
As the skeleton is incomplete, its exact systematic position in the dinosaur tree is still up for debate.
—David Bressan, Forbes, 20 Oct. 2024
El Niño raised temperatures and led to drought stress on the cocoa trees; torrential rains spread black pod, a fungal disease that affects cocoa trees and reduces yields; dry and dusty trade winds shaded the crop from sunlight and impacted development.
—Erika Tulfo, CNN, 20 Oct. 2024
Verb
Allergies to tree nuts, like almonds, are among the most common food allergies in both children and adults.
—Meghan Overdeep, Southern Living, 24 Sep. 2024
Classifying these nuts can be vital, particularly for people who have severe allergies to tree nuts.
—Delaney Nothaft, USA TODAY, 10 Sep. 2023
See all Example Sentences for tree
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.
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Dictionary Entries Near tree
Cite this Entry
“Tree.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tree. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
tree
1 of 2 noun1
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
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
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