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noun

alder

AWL-duh

Alder (noun) means a tree or shrub of the genus Alnus, related to the birch, often found near rivers and wet ground. Example: “A row of alders lined the riverbank.”

noun
1
A tree or shrub of the genus Alnus, related to the birch, often found near rivers and wet ground.
"A row of alders lined the riverbank."
2
Short for alderman.
"The alder cast the deciding vote at the council meeting."

How to use alder

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA type of tree that grows near water, or a shortened term for "alderman."

Word forms

alders plural, alders plural, Alders plural

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A row of _____ lined the riverbank.

Etymology

From Old English alor, tracing back to Proto-Germanic roots for the same tree.

Origin: Old English

alder tree

Rhymes for alder

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Frequently asked questions

What does “alder” mean?

The word “alder” means a tree or shrub of the genus Alnus, related to the birch, often found near rivers and wet ground. In plain terms, a type of tree that grows near water, or a shortened term for "alderman.".

How do you pronounce “alder”?

“Alder” is pronounced AWL-duh (/ˈɔːldə/ in IPA).

How do you use “alder” in a sentence?

Here is “alder” used in a sentence: “A row of alders lined the riverbank.”

What part of speech is “alder”?

“Alder” is a noun.

Where does the word “alder” come from?

The word “alder” comes from Old English. From Old English alor, tracing back to Proto-Germanic roots for the same tree.

How many meanings does “alder” have?

“Alder” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a tree or shrub of the genus Alnus, related to the birch, often found near rivers and wet ground.

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