tree

The word “tree” means a tall woody plant with a single trunk and branches. In plain terms, a tree is the tall plant with a trunk and branches, but the word also describes any branching diagram, like a family tree or decision tree.

“Tree” is pronounced chrihy (/tɹiː/ in IPA).

Here is “tree” used in a sentence: “They planted an oak tree in the backyard.”

Depending on how it is used, “tree” can be a noun and a verb.

The word “tree” comes from Old English. From Old English trēow, "tree" — related to "true" and "tar," from a very old Indo-European root for wood.

“Tree” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.

“Tree” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a tall woody plant with a single trunk and branches.

A tree is usually a tall woody plant with a single main trunk and branches held well above the ground. A shrub is shorter and typically has several woody stems rising from near the base, with no clear single trunk. Height and trunk structure are the main ways people tell them apart.

A tree has three main parts: the roots, which anchor it and draw up water and nutrients; the trunk, which supports the plant and carries those materials upward; and the crown of branches and leaves, where sunlight is turned into food through photosynthesis. Bark protects the trunk and branches.

Trees produce oxygen and absorb carbon dioxide, helping to clean the air and slow climate change. They provide food and habitat for wildlife, prevent soil erosion, offer shade, and supply timber, fruit, and countless other materials. They also improve wellbeing, making green spaces valuable to towns and cities.

Deciduous trees, such as oak and maple, shed all their leaves in autumn and grow new ones in spring. Evergreen trees, such as pine and fir, keep their leaves or needles year-round, replacing them gradually. The difference explains why some woods look bare in winter while others stay green.