elm

noun

ˈelm How to pronounce elm (audio)
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

Illustration of elm

Illustration of elm
  • elm 1

Examples of elm in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The elm is also culturally important to the Northeast, said Gus Goodwin, a senior conservation planner for The Nature Conservancy. — ABC News, 31 Aug. 2026 Scientists with the Forest Service and the Nature Conservancy Vermont spent the summer injecting 6,000 young elm trees with Dutch elm disease spores to test their resistance to the disease. — Amanda Swinhart, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026 In southern Wyoming, ferns briefly flourished where relatives of elms, walnuts, dawn redwood and avocado trees once thrived. — Regan E. Dunn, The Conversation, 13 Aug. 2026 Blizzard says that morels most commonly grow around ash or elm trees. — Katie Hill, Outdoor Life, 6 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for elm

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of elm was before the 12th century

Phrases Containing elm

Rhymes for elm

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Browse Nearby Words

ellwand
elm
El Mahalla El Kubra
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Cite this Entry

“Elm.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/elm. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

elm

noun
ˈelm How to pronounce elm (audio)
1
: any of a genus of large deciduous trees that have toothed leaves and nearly circular one-seeded winged fruits and are often grown as shade trees
especially : american elm
2
: the wood of an elm

More from Merriam-Webster on elm

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about elm

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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