alder

noun

al·​der ˈȯl-dər How to pronounce alder (audio)
: any of a genus (Alnus) of toothed-leaved trees or shrubs of the birch family that have catkins which become woody, that typically grow in cool moist ground, and that have wood used especially in turnery
also : its wood

Examples of alder in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Not far away, Goldstream Provincial Park in Langford is home to what tourism officials call Niagara Falls of the West Coast, in addition to big-leaf maples, red alders that turn golden, along with 600-year-old Douglas fir trees. — Jeanne Bonner, CNN Money, 7 Oct. 2026 Mayor Brandon Johnson has urged alders to pass the settlement, allowing the city to move on from these cases. — Chris Tye, CBS News, 5 Oct. 2026 Red Rock State Park, meanwhile, sits a few miles south of town in the opposite direction, and its creekside section is home to a number of seasonally flashy tree species, such as Fremont cottonwood, sycamore, velvet ash, and Arizona alder. — Nicholas Derenzo, Travel + Leisure, 21 Sep. 2026 The alders’ letter also questioned how multi-school facility management is handled and what training has taken place. — Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 31 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for alder

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English alor; akin to Old High German elira alder, Latin alnus

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of alder was before the 12th century

Phrases Containing alder

Rhymes for alder

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Browse Nearby Words

al dente
alder
Alder
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Cite this Entry

“Alder.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/alder. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

alder

noun
al·​der ˈȯl-dər How to pronounce alder (audio)
: any of a genus of toothed-leaved trees or shrubs related to the birches

Biographical Definition

Alder

biographical name

Al·​der ˈäl-dər How to pronounce Alder (audio)
Kurt 1902–1958 German chemist

More from Merriam-Webster on alder

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about alder

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