Illustration of linden
- branch with bract and fruit
linden
noun
lin·den ˈlin-dən 
1
: any of a genus (Tilia of the family Tiliaceae, the linden family) of deciduous trees of temperate regions that have cordate leaves and a winglike bract attached to the peduncle of the flower and fruit and that are often planted as ornamental and shade trees: such as
a
: a commonly cultivated European tree (T. europaea synonym T. vulgaris) much used for ornamental planting
b
: a tree (T. americana) chiefly of the central and eastern U.S.
called also basswood
2
: the light fine-grained white wood of a linden
especially : basswood sense 2
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web In the past, blooming linden trees were routinely treated in springtime with a pesticide called imidacloprid to kill Japanese beetles. 
Beth Botts, chicagotribune.com, 24 July 2021 Today, Véronique Nyberg makes all its fragrances, and in 2012 created 1A-33, named for a license plate assigned to the brand’s factory car in Berlin, a city famous for its linden trees. New York Times, 12 May 2021 Scott’s tree, as his family called it, was still young when three years later it was joined by another Green Deed memorial tree, this one a linden planted for Paul LeBreton. Mary Schmich, chicagotribune.com, 6 Apr. 2021 American linden trees can grow up to 2 feet in a year and produce plenty of nectar that's especially attractive to honeybees. Derek Carwood, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 May 2020 The first of the islands, dubbed CPH-Ø1, looks a bit like a floating, 215 square-foot dock with a real, growing linden tree in the middle. Andrea Romano, Travel + Leisure, 28 Apr. 2020 The $85 ticket includes seating under the linden trees, continental breakfast and a picnic lunch. Washington Post, 2 Jan. 2020 These include cinchona bark (helps with digestion), chamomile (helps with relaxation), cinnamon (antioxidant, aphrodisiac), linden (more of the latter), iris (antiseptic), and saffron (energy and mood boost). Washington Post, 13 Dec. 2019 Standing under an old linden tree, Sister Brigitte looks at the marble gravestones marking the resting spots of her late companions. Washington Post, 30 Oct. 2019 See More
Beth Botts, chicagotribune.com, 24 July 2021 Today, Véronique Nyberg makes all its fragrances, and in 2012 created 1A-33, named for a license plate assigned to the brand’s factory car in Berlin, a city famous for its linden trees. New York Times, 12 May 2021 Scott’s tree, as his family called it, was still young when three years later it was joined by another Green Deed memorial tree, this one a linden planted for Paul LeBreton. Mary Schmich, chicagotribune.com, 6 Apr. 2021 American linden trees can grow up to 2 feet in a year and produce plenty of nectar that's especially attractive to honeybees. Derek Carwood, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 May 2020 The first of the islands, dubbed CPH-Ø1, looks a bit like a floating, 215 square-foot dock with a real, growing linden tree in the middle. Andrea Romano, Travel + Leisure, 28 Apr. 2020 The $85 ticket includes seating under the linden trees, continental breakfast and a picnic lunch. Washington Post, 2 Jan. 2020 These include cinchona bark (helps with digestion), chamomile (helps with relaxation), cinnamon (antioxidant, aphrodisiac), linden (more of the latter), iris (antiseptic), and saffron (energy and mood boost). Washington Post, 13 Dec. 2019 Standing under an old linden tree, Sister Brigitte looks at the marble gravestones marking the resting spots of her late companions. Washington Post, 30 Oct. 2019 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English, made of linden wood, from Old English, from lind linden tree; probably akin to Old English līthe gentle — more at lithe
First Known Use
1577, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Kids Definition
linden
noun
lin·den ˈlin-dən
: a shade tree with heart-shaped leaves and drooping clusters of yellowish white flowers
Geographical Definition
Linden
geographical name
Lin·den ˈlin-dən
city in northeastern New Jersey south-southwest of Elizabeth population 40,499