sapling

noun

sap·​ling ˈsa-pliŋ How to pronounce sapling (audio)
-plən
1
: a young tree
specifically : one not over four inches (about 10 centimeters) in diameter at breast height
2

Examples of sapling in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Yet, despite the growing popularity of tree-planting, in many cases simply putting saplings in the ground isn’t an ecological win. Popular Science, 15 Feb. 2024 The slash piles that covered the old roadbed—fir and spruce saplings that Cahill had plucked like daisies with the Cat’s claw—would provide shade and cover for future grasses, wildflowers and shrubs. Ben Goldfarb, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 Feb. 2024 For some, the hanging shreds of velvet that covered their antlers becomes a sudden irritation, and as the velvet dries and peels away, bucks and bulls will assist the process by rubbing their antlers against brushy vegetation and small saplings. Scott Bestul, Field & Stream, 10 Jan. 2024 The vines, brambles and saplings growing where fields and pastures once stood pull the piles of stones apart. Robert Thorson, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 Nov. 2023 As dragonflies and white butterflies floated about, Putnam noted that within a few years, many of the now 14-foot saplings would be as tall as telephone poles and the forest would be self-sufficient. Cara Buckley, BostonGlobe.com, 26 Aug. 2023 The sapling that sprouted from the stump now stands about 60 feet. Tiana Woodard, BostonGlobe.com, 8 July 2023 The team has amassed 17 billion seeds and thousands of tree saplings. Melina Mara, Washington Post, 14 Dec. 2023 The banyan tree at the center of Lahaina was a sapling when it was planted in 1873 – a quarter century before the Hawaiian Islands became a U.S. territory and seven decades after King Kamehameha declared Lahaina the capital of his kingdom. Ed Komenda and Audrey McAvoy, The Christian Science Monitor, 19 Oct. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sapling.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of sapling was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near sapling

Cite this Entry

“Sapling.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sapling. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

sapling

noun
sap·​ling ˈsap-liŋ How to pronounce sapling (audio)
: a young tree

More from Merriam-Webster on sapling

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