Illustration of elm
- elm 1
elm
noun
ˈelm 
1
: any of a genus (Ulmus of the family Ulmaceae, the elm family) of usually large deciduous north temperate-zone trees with alternate stipulate leaves and fruit that is a samara
2
: the wood of an elm
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Mike Shukwit, Elmwood's director of operations, used it to compute the elm tree's height. 
Neal Rubin, Detroit Free Press, 7 July 2022 Seriina Covarrubias’ front yard feels cool and inviting under the dappled shade of a magnificent elm tree. Los Angeles Times, 12 July 2022 The shadow of the elm also falls across James Tuck, a 44-year-old attorney whose circumstances are more certain. Neal Rubin, Detroit Free Press, 7 July 2022 Sentimental to no end, John Clare wrote of his despair at the prospect of losing two beloved elm trees, which a local landowner was planning to sell for wood. Eula Biss, The New Yorker, 8 June 2022 Ogren’s theory boils down to this: Starting in the 1960s, Dutch elm disease swept across the United States, killing off the elm trees that lined American streets. Mike Damiano, BostonGlobe.com, 4 June 2022 This guy built one with a budget of less than $100,000, and this single mom built one while managing not to kill the 60-year-old Chinese elm that towers over the property. Los Angeles Times, 29 Mar. 2022 The 120-year-old elm came crashing down between Northwest Davis and Everett streets about 11:15 a.m. oregonlive, 21 Dec. 2021 Non-natives can be OK but may be more subject to stress, like the elm or ash trees, so those might be more susceptible to damage if their health is not good going into monsoon season. Amaris Encinas, The Arizona Republic, 23 June 2022 See More
Neal Rubin, Detroit Free Press, 7 July 2022 Seriina Covarrubias’ front yard feels cool and inviting under the dappled shade of a magnificent elm tree. Los Angeles Times, 12 July 2022 The shadow of the elm also falls across James Tuck, a 44-year-old attorney whose circumstances are more certain. Neal Rubin, Detroit Free Press, 7 July 2022 Sentimental to no end, John Clare wrote of his despair at the prospect of losing two beloved elm trees, which a local landowner was planning to sell for wood. Eula Biss, The New Yorker, 8 June 2022 Ogren’s theory boils down to this: Starting in the 1960s, Dutch elm disease swept across the United States, killing off the elm trees that lined American streets. Mike Damiano, BostonGlobe.com, 4 June 2022 This guy built one with a budget of less than $100,000, and this single mom built one while managing not to kill the 60-year-old Chinese elm that towers over the property. Los Angeles Times, 29 Mar. 2022 The 120-year-old elm came crashing down between Northwest Davis and Everett streets about 11:15 a.m. oregonlive, 21 Dec. 2021 Non-natives can be OK but may be more subject to stress, like the elm or ash trees, so those might be more susceptible to damage if their health is not good going into monsoon season. Amaris Encinas, The Arizona Republic, 23 June 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English, from Old English; akin to Old High German elme elm, Latin ulmus
First Known Use
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing elm
Kids Definition
elm
noun
ˈelm
: a tall shade tree with a broad rather flat top and spreading branches