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.
"Chicago's mayor Edward Kennelly, the city alders, and many white Chicagoans opposed this siting plan."
— Dawn Day Biehler, Pests in the City: Flies (2013)
"The alder cast the deciding vote at the council meeting."
"After three years as Ward 1 alder, Sarah Eidelson ’12 will leave city government at the end of the year."
— Isabel Bysiewicz, Eidelson reflects on time as alder (2017)
"Almost immediately, city alders contacted the campaign to negotiate an ordinance."
— Stephanie Luce -, Fighting for a Living Wage (2004)
How to use alder
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA type of tree that grows near water, or a shortened term for "alderman."
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Word forms
- Plural
- alders
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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.
Synonyms
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alder tree
Rhymes for alder
See all rhymes for alder →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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