apple

noun

ap·​ple ˈa-pəl How to pronounce apple (audio)
often attributive
1
: the fleshy, usually rounded red, yellow, or green edible pome fruit of a usually cultivated tree (genus Malus) of the rose family
also : an apple tree compare crab apple
2
: a fruit (such as a star apple) or other vegetative growth (such as an oak apple) suggestive of an apple
see also:
apple of one's eye

Examples of apple 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.
Whipped up in only 20 minutes, it’s packed with flavor from goat cheese, walnuts, prosciutto, green apple, and loads of garlic. — Hannah Agran, Midwest Living, 2 Aug. 2026 Food and Drink Breakfast is an elaborate spread of pork sausages, fresh apple juice, marionberry kouign-amann pastries, pots of yogurt with granola, and plump apricots that arrived on wooden trays in my room. — Katie Nanton, Travel + Leisure, 2 Aug. 2026 Chicken thighs seasoned with a bright lemon-herb rub roast briefly before apple wedges, slices of delicata squash (no peeling required), and fennel seeds go into the pan. — Katlyn Moncada, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Aug. 2026 Then the researchers piped apple cider vinegar into that airstream, switching it on and off depending on the fly’s position on this virtual field. — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 1 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for apple

Word History

Etymology

Middle English appel, from Old English æppel; akin to Old High German apful apple, Old Irish ubull, Old Church Slavic ablŭko

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of apple was before the 12th century

Phrases Containing apple

Rhymes for apple

See All Rhymes for apple

Browse Nearby Words

applausive
apple
apple anthracnose
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Apple.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/apple. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

apple

noun
ap·​ple ˈap-əl How to pronounce apple (audio)
: a rounded fruit with a red, yellow, or green skin, firm white flesh and a seedy core
also : the tree of the rose family that bears this fruit

Medical Definition

apple

noun
ap·​ple ˈap-əl How to pronounce apple (audio)
: the fleshy usually rounded and red, yellow, or green edible pome fruit of a tree (genus Malus) of the rose family
also : an apple tree

More from Merriam-Webster on apple

Nglish: Translation of apple for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about apple

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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