1 aspen | Definition of aspen

aspen

noun
as·​pen | \ ˈas-pÉ™n How to pronounce aspen (audio) \

Definition of aspen

 (Entry 1 of 2)

: any of several poplars (especially Populus tremula of Europe and P. tremuloides and P. grandidentata of North America) with leaves that flutter in the lightest wind because of their flattened petioles

Aspen

geographical name
As·​pen | \ ˈa-spÉ™n How to pronounce Aspen (audio) \

Definition of Aspen (Entry 2 of 2)

resort city in west central Colorado population 6658

Examples of aspen in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

The east side of the park is dominated by aspens, and the west side features the western larch, a conifer exclusive to the Inland Northwest. Justin Franz, Houston Chronicle, "Have Glacier National Park to yourself in the fall," 30 Aug. 2019 The hot dog is decorated with bright yellow mustard and green relish that blend well with autumn aspen and the evergreen trees on surrounding mountainsides. Tom Noel, The Know, "9 odd places that you should include on a Colorado road trip, from a giant hot dog to fake cliff dwellings," 25 Aug. 2019 Days here linger warm and sunny, and huge ranches, some of which have been around for 100-plus years, run trail rides on rolling grassland, into desertlike canyons, and through forests speckled with gold-leafed aspens. Outside Online, "The Best Places to Savor Fall in British Columbia," 14 Aug. 2019 The Basque sheepherders who toiled here from the 1850s onward left lonely musings carved into the region’s aspen trees. Sara Lessley, Los Angeles Times, "Hiking, birding and more on a weekend trip to Lee Vining," 1 Aug. 2019 The route heads right (west) at the sign and begins with a shady walk among pines and firs, with a smattering of aspens tucked into clearings. Mare Czinar, azcentral, "This Flagstaff mountain hike surrounds you with summer wildflowers," 18 July 2019 That’s because aspens are clonal, extending outward through underground root systems that both bind the organisms together and establish new clones. Riley Black, WSJ, "‘Nature’s Giants’ and ‘Superlative’ Review: Wild, Wilder, Wildest," 21 June 2019 Walking through a stand of shivering aspen is essentially entering the body of another organism. Riley Black, WSJ, "‘Nature’s Giants’ and ‘Superlative’ Review: Wild, Wilder, Wildest," 21 June 2019 Fall, with brilliant colors adorning the larch, aspen, birch, cottonwood and other trees, is delightful as well. John Briley, Washington Post, "Better than Banff? In British Columbia, Nelson is a contender," 20 June 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'aspen.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of aspen

Noun

1593, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for aspen

Noun

Middle English, of an aspen, from asp aspen, from Old English æspe; akin to Old High German aspa aspen, Russian osina

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More Definitions for aspen

aspen

noun

English Language Learners Definition of aspen

: a kind of tree whose leaves move easily when the wind blows

aspen

noun
as·​pen | \ ˈa-spÉ™n How to pronounce aspen (audio) \

Kids Definition of aspen

: a poplar tree whose leaves move easily in the breeze

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More from Merriam-Webster on aspen

Spanish Central: Translation of aspen

Nglish: Translation of aspen for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about aspen