# arbor

/ˈɑɹbɝ/ (US) · /ˈɑːbɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/arbor
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. garden structure

noun · CEFR C1 · Literary

a shady place in a garden where you can sit, usually made of a frame covered with climbing plants.

For teachers: a sheltered, shady area in a garden or park, typically formed by a framework of vines or climbing shrubs.

- We sat under the rose-covered arbor to stay cool during the hot afternoon.
- The estate featured a secluded arbor where the poet reportedly spent his summer afternoons writing amidst the scent of honeysuckle.

### 2. mechanical shaft

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

a central rod or shaft in a machine that holds a tool or a spinning part.

For teachers: a central axis or spindle that supports a rotating part, such as a cutting tool in a lathe or a wheel in a clock.

- The mechanic checked the arbor to make sure the saw blade was spinning straight.
- The technician noted that the arbor had become slightly misaligned, causing the rotating assembly to vibrate at high speeds.

## Examples

- We sat under the old arbor in the garden.
- The community planted a large arbor near the park entrance to provide shade for visitors.
- Beneath the sprawling arbor, the elders gathered to share stories, their voices blending with the rustle of leaves above.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.