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noun Uncommon

arbor

AH-buh

Arbor (noun) means a shaded garden structure covered with climbing plants, used as a place to sit. Example: “They got married under a rose-covered arbor.”

noun
1
A shaded garden structure covered with climbing plants, used as a place to sit.
"They got married under a rose-covered arbor."
2
A rotating shaft or spindle in a machine, such as a lathe, that supports a moving part.
"The saw blade is mounted on a steel arbor."

How to use arbor

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA garden shelter covered in plants, or a spinning shaft inside a machine.

UK vs US

The garden-structure spelling "arbor" is standard in American English; British English more often uses "arbour".

Word forms

arbors plural, arbores plural, arbors plural, arbores plural

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

They got married under a rose-covered _____.

Etymology

From Old French erbier, "meadow, herb garden", related to Latin herba, "grass, herb" — its spelling was later reshaped by the unrelated Latin word arbor, "tree".

Origin: Latin

Related words

Rhymes for arbor

See all rhymes for arbor →

Frequently asked questions

What does “arbor” mean?

The word “arbor” means a shaded garden structure covered with climbing plants, used as a place to sit. In plain terms, a garden shelter covered in plants, or a spinning shaft inside a machine.

How do you pronounce “arbor”?

“Arbor” is pronounced AH-buh (/ˈɑɹbɚ/ in IPA).

How do you use “arbor” in a sentence?

Here is “arbor” used in a sentence: “They got married under a rose-covered arbor.”

What part of speech is “arbor”?

“Arbor” is a noun.

Where does the word “arbor” come from?

The word “arbor” comes from Latin. From Old French erbier, "meadow, herb garden", related to Latin herba, "grass, herb" — its spelling was later reshaped by the unrelated Latin word arbor, "tree".

Is “arbor” a common word?

“Arbor” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “arbor” have?

“Arbor” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a shaded garden structure covered with climbing plants, used as a place to sit.

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial