arboretum

noun

ar·​bo·​re·​tum ˌär-bə-ˈrē-təm How to pronounce arboretum (audio)
plural arboretums or arboreta ˌär-bə-ˈrē-tə How to pronounce arboretum (audio)
Synonyms of arboretumnext
: a place where trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants are cultivated for scientific and educational purposes

Examples of arboretum 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.
Many of the more than 50 species of oak trees native to Texas — the most of any state — are on display in a 16-acre arboretum, too. — The New York Times News Service Syndicate, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Aug. 2026 Tickets are $25 for arboretum members and $35 for nonmembers. — Pedro Moura, Los Angeles Times, 15 Aug. 2026 There are two massive concrete planters, a domed arboretum, and a ground installation that includes boulders and river rocks. — Jenny Hughes, The Spruce, 1 Aug. 2026 These seeds later grew into saplings that NASA distributed to parks, arboretums and historic sites across the globe. — Joanna Thompson, Space.com, 27 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for arboretum

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Latin, plantation of trees, from arbor

First Known Use

1796, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of arboretum was in 1796

Rhymes for arboretum

See All Rhymes for arboretum

Browse Nearby Words

arboret
arboretum
arborical
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Cite this Entry

“Arboretum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/arboretum. Accessed 22 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

arboretum

noun
ar·​bo·​re·​tum ˌär-bə-ˈrēt-əm How to pronounce arboretum (audio)
plural arboretums or arboreta -ˈrēt-ə How to pronounce arboretum (audio)
: a place where trees and plants are grown for scientific and educational purposes

More from Merriam-Webster on arboretum

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for arboretum

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about arboretum

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