English Reference
noun · verb

tree

n. · v.
US /ˈtɹi/ UK /tɹˈiː/ tree UK spelling tree's, tree's

  1. 01 A1 Beginner

    n.a tall plant with a thick wooden trunk, branches, and leaves.

    n.a perennial woody plant typically having a single self-supporting main stem or trunk and numerous secondary branches.

    Simple

    The children spent the afternoon climbing the old oak tree in the garden.

    In context

    The botanical garden features a diverse collection of deciduous trees that provide a vibrant display of colour throughout the autumn months.

    sapling
  2. 02 B1 Intermediate

    n.a drawing or list that shows how things are connected, like a family tree.

    n.a diagrammatic representation of a structure or process that branches out from a single root or origin.

    Simple

    She drew a family tree to show her children who their great-grandparents were.

    In context

    The linguist constructed a phylogenetic tree to illustrate the historical divergence of Indo-European languages from a common ancestor.

    diagramhierarchyflowchart
  3. 03 C1 Advanced Technical Computing

    n.a way of organizing data where each part can branch into smaller parts.

    n.a recursive data structure or connected graph with no cycles, consisting of nodes with parent-child relationships.

    Simple

    The program uses a search tree to find the correct file quickly.

    In context

    The algorithm efficiently traverses the binary search tree to retrieve records with minimal computational overhead.

  4. 04 C1 Advanced SlangInformal

    n.a slang word for marijuana.

    n.a slang term for cannabis or marijuana, often used in the plural form.

    Simple

    He was arrested for possession of trees after the police searched his car.

    In context

    The lyrics of the song contain several coded references to smoking trees, a common trope in contemporary hip-hop culture.

  5. 05 B2 Upper Intermediate

    n.a stand with hooks used for hanging things like hats, coats, or shoes.

    n.a vertical stand or internal frame designed to support, hang, or maintain the shape of specific items.

    Simple

    He hung his wet raincoat on the hall tree near the front door.

    In context

    To preserve the leather, he always inserted a cedar shoe tree into his oxfords immediately after taking them off.

  6. 06 C2 Proficiency American English

    v.to chase an animal until it climbs a tree to escape.

    v.to force an animal or person to take refuge in a tree by chasing or cornering them.

    Simple

    The hunting dogs managed to tree the raccoon in less than ten minutes.

    In context

    The hounds successfully treed the cougar, allowing the researchers to safely administer a sedative for their study.

    Usage

    The verb is transitive and requires a direct object.

Usage trees grass

This entry
Level A1 · Beginner
Frequency Very common
Updated