apple scab

noun

: a disease of apple trees caused by a fungus (Venturia inaequalis) producing dark blotches or lesions on the leaves, fruit, and sometimes the young twigs

Examples of apple scab 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.
Apples are susceptible to several serious diseases, including apple scab, cedar-apple rust, fire blight and powdery mildew. — Beth Botts, Chicago Tribune, 16 Feb. 2025 In a wet year, a disease-resistant apple tree may still show the symptoms of apple scab and powdery mildew, fungal diseases that are encouraged by high humidity and wet leaves. — Beth Botts, Chicago Tribune, 16 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1883, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of apple scab was in 1883

Rhymes for apple scab

See All Rhymes for apple scab

Browse Nearby Words

apple sawfly
apple scab
apple scald
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Apple scab.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/apple%20scab. Accessed 29 Mar. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

More from Merriam-Webster on apple scab

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about apple scab

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Words You Always Have to Look Up

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Top 10 Sophisticated Insults

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

More Words with Remarkable Origins

Terroir, Oenophile, & Magnum: Ten Words About Wine

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Top 10 Sophisticated Insults

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
burrowing owl athene cunicularia tilts its head outside its burrow on marco island florida
Guess the Curious Origins of These Everyday Words Oh, that’s where that comes from…
See All