tree

/triː/
nounBeginner
formal

A perennial plant with an elongated stem, or trunk, which supports branches and leaves.

The tree in our backyard provides shade during the summer.

The tree in our backyard provides shade during the summer.

💡

Trees are typically long-lived, woody, and have a single main stem.

technical

A figure or symbol formed by branching lines.

The tree diagram helped illustrate the possible outcomes of the experiment.

The tree diagram helped illustrate the possible outcomes of the experiment.

Collocations

tree housea structure built in the branches of a tree, typically for children to play infamily treea diagram showing the relationships between members of a family

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Phrases

under the treephrase
in a shaded area beneath a tree
tree of lifeidiom
a symbolic representation of the interconnectedness of all living things

💡Pro Tip

Tree Identification

When identifying trees, look for characteristics such as leaf shape, bark texture, and overall shape.

Gold Rule

Subject-Verb Agreement

When using 'tree' as a subject, ensure that the verb agrees with it in number (e.g., 'The tree is tall.' vs. 'The trees are tall.')

📖Word Origin

The word 'tree' comes from Old English 'trēo', which was derived from Proto-Germanic '*tri-' and Proto-Indo-European '*dʰru-'.

📝Usage Notes

The term 'tree' can refer to a wide range of plant species, from small shrubs to large forest giants.

Word Breakdown

tr-
wood
root
+
-ee
object or thing
suffix
English Dictionary