poplar

[ pop-ler ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

any of the rapidly growing, salicaceous trees of the genus Populus, usually characterized by the columnar or spirelike manner of growth of its branches.
the light, soft wood of any of these trees, used for pulp.
any of various similar trees, as the tulip tree.
the wood of any such tree.

poplar

/ ˈpɒplə /

noun

any tree of the salicaceous genus Populus, of N temperate regions, having triangular leaves, flowers borne in catkins, and light soft wood See also aspen balsam poplar Lombardy poplar white poplar
any of various trees resembling the true poplars, such as the tulip tree
the wood of any of these trees

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Other Words From

poplared adjective

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Word History and Origins

Origin of poplar¹

1350–1400; Middle English popler ( e ), variant of populer, equivalent to Middle English, Old English popul popple ² (< Latin pōpulus poplar) + -er -er ²; suffix apparently added on model of Middle French pouplier, equivalent to pouple poplar + -ier -ier ²

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Word History and Origins

Origin of poplar¹

C14: from Old French poplier, from pouple, from Latin pōpulus

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Example Sentences

The poplar trees that line the avenues between the cellblocks are bare.

From The Daily Beast

A little way beyond the poplar-grove Piegan drew rein, and held up one hand.

From Project Gutenberg

Far away a gap in the poplar trees showed a German observation balloon, a tiny dot against the sky.

From Project Gutenberg

They climbed the broken staircase and stared toward the break in the poplar trees, from the roofless floor above.

From Project Gutenberg

Small poplar trees were quickly felled in the neighboring forest, and their branches lopped off.

From Project Gutenberg

Having reached this spot, they lost no time in cutting slender poles of poplar and attaching the lines.

From Project Gutenberg

Popish Plot Poplar Bluff

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