espalier

1 of 2

noun

es·​pal·​ier i-ˈspal-yər How to pronounce espalier (audio)
-ˌyā
1
: a plant (such as a fruit tree) trained to grow flat against a support (such as a wall)
2
: a railing or trellis on which fruit trees or shrubs are trained to grow flat

espalier

2 of 2

verb

espaliered; espaliering; espaliers

transitive verb

1
: to train as an espalier
2
: to furnish with an espalier

Examples of espalier in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Noun
The design duo also likes to use espaliers to train fruiting trees to grow in a flat plane along a wall. — Danine Alati, Architectural Digest, 13 Aug. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

French, ultimately from Italian spalla shoulder, from Late Latin spatula shoulder blade — more at epaulet

First Known Use

Noun

1662, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1810, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of espalier was in 1662

Browse Nearby Words

espagnolette
espalier
espantoon
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Espalier.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/espalier. Accessed 28 Mar. 2025.

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Kids Definition

espalier

noun
es·​pal·​ier
is-ˈpal-yər,
-ˌyā
: a plant (as a fruit tree) trained to grow flat against a support (as a wall or trellis)
espalier verb

More from Merriam-Webster on espalier

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about espalier

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