box elder

noun

: a rapidly growing North American maple (Acer negundo) with compound leaves

Examples of box elder 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.
How long the tree survives upon infestation can depend on the species, explains Roets; oak trees typically die within four years, while box elders often don’t survive beyond the first 12 months. — Jack Bantock, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2026 Although box elder is a California native, this multi-colored version, dubbed Flamingo, was developed from a shoot spotted by a horticulturist in the Netherlands. — Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 14 Feb. 2026 Akron scored above average for pollen counts, but spring pollen can still find its way to residents, particularly from late March to early June as grass and tree pollen, including oak, elm, cedar, poplar, mulberry, box elder and maple, hit the air. — Alex Perry, Cincinnati Enquirer, 20 Mar. 2025 In addition, drought conditions have weakened fast-growing trees such as sugar maples, box elders, willows which are most prone to losing limbs, Megna said. — Karl Ebert, Journal Sentinel, 20 Mar. 2024 See All Example Sentences for box elder

Word History

First Known Use

1787, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of box elder was in 1787

Rhymes for box elder

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Browse Nearby Words

boxed seam
box elder
box-elder aphid
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Cite this Entry

“Box elder.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/box%20elder. Accessed 18 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

box elder

noun
: a North American maple with compound leaves

More from Merriam-Webster on box elder

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about box elder

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