sycamore

noun

syc·​a·​more ˈsi-kə-ˌmȯr How to pronounce sycamore (audio)
1
or less commonly sycomore
ˈsi-kə-ˌmȯr How to pronounce sycamore (audio)
: a fig tree (Ficus sycomorus) of Africa and the Middle East that is the sycamore of Scripture and has edible fruit similar but inferior to the common fig
2
: a Eurasian maple (Acer pseudoplatanus) with long racemes of showy yellowish-green flowers that is widely planted as a shade tree
3
: plane entry 4
especially : a very large spreading tree (Platanus occidentalis) chiefly of the eastern and central U.S. with 3- to 5-lobed broadly ovate leaves

Examples of sycamore 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.
Last month, the first nursery launched at EF with 30 trees — coast live oaks and sycamores. — Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 23 May 2026 Also, most sweet gums and sycamores sustain minimal damage. — Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 May 2026 Standing next to a charred Western sycamore tree, Mace pointed out that its roots survived and branches with vibrant leaves have resprouted. — Joy Benedict, CBS News, 4 June 2026 Almost any large, mature tree can develop surface roots, but species like sycamore, poplar, willow, silver maple, and, of course, bald cypress, famous for its knees, are most likely to show their roots. — Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 24 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for sycamore

Word History

Etymology

Middle English sikamour, sicomore, borrowed from Anglo-French sicamour, borrowed from Latin sȳcomorus, borrowed from Greek sȳkómoros "sycamore fig" (sȳkómoron "fruit of the sycamore fig"), probably alteration by folk etymology of sȳkámīnos sycamine, with the ending conformed to móron "black mulberry, blackberry" — more at mulberry

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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

Rhymes for sycamore

See All Rhymes for sycamore

Browse Nearby Words

sycamine
sycamore
sycamore anthracnose
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

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

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Kids Definition

sycamore

noun
syc·​a·​more ˈsik-ə-ˌmō(ə)r How to pronounce sycamore (audio)
-ˌmȯ(ə)r
1
: a Eurasian maple with yellowish green flowers that is widely planted as a shade tree
2
: a large spreading tree of the eastern and central U.S. that has light-brown bark peeling off in thin flakes and small round brown fruits hanging on long stalks

More from Merriam-Webster on sycamore

Nglish: Translation of sycamore for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about sycamore

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