poplar

noun

pop·​lar ˈpä-plər How to pronounce poplar (audio)
1
a
: any of a genus (Populus) of slender catkin-bearing quick-growing deciduous trees (such as an aspen or cottonwood) of the willow family
b
: the wood of a poplar
2
: tulip tree sense 1

Examples of poplar 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.
They can also be found at the base of hickory, oak, elm, ash, tulip, poplar or sycamore trees. — Marina Johnson, Louisville Courier Journal, 24 Mar. 2026 The venue is encircled by a towering curtain of oaks, poplars, and pines, and each note seemed to hang in the air for the rapt audience. — Hillary Richard, Travel + Leisure, 10 June 2026 Trees grown in mixtures, including important timber species like poplar and red oak, are up to 80% larger than the same species when grown alone. — John Parker, The Conversation, 20 Apr. 2026 The city is one of India’s major plywood manufacturing hubs, with plywood made mostly from eucalyptus and poplar. — Laura Payne, Encyclopedia Britannica, 1 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for poplar

Word History

Etymology

Middle English popler, from Anglo-French, from Old French *pople poplar, from Latin populus

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

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

Phrases Containing poplar

Browse Nearby Words

popishly
poplar
Poplar
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Cite this Entry

“Poplar.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/poplar. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

poplar

noun
pop·​lar ˈpäp-lər How to pronounce poplar (audio)
1
: any of a genus of slender quick-growing trees (as an aspen or cottonwood) that have catkins for flowers and are related to the willows
2
: the wood of a poplar

Geographical Definition

Poplar

geographical name

Pop·​lar ˈpä-plər How to pronounce Poplar (audio)
former metropolitan borough of eastern London, England, on the northern bank of the Thames River that is now part of the borough of Tower Hamlets

More from Merriam-Webster on poplar

Nglish: Translation of poplar for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about poplar

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