Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
elm family

elm family

6.1
A family of flowering trees and shrubs that includes elm and hackberry
  • noun
  • /ɛlm ˈfæmɪli/
  • Specialized
translation icon : familia de los olmos
  • Many species in the elm family are valued for their tough wood and attractive foliage.

Examples

  • The elm family includes several important shade trees found throughout temperate regions.

  • The elm family consists of various tree species.

  • Celtis, a member of the elm family, is commonly known as the hackberry tree.

  • Many trees in the elm family are known for their durability.

  • The elm family includes several species of trees that are known for their distinctive serrated leaves.

  • Many urban parks feature trees from the elm family, providing shade and beauty to the environment.

  • Researchers are studying the elm family to understand better how different species adapt to climate change.

Synonyms

Ulmaceae
vselm family
  • Specialized
9.9

A group of trees and shrubs that includes elms

is the scientific name stressing flowering plants and specific genera

Surface Forms

elm family singular
elm families plural

Morphology

elm + family

The phrase 'elm family' is a straightforward compositional noun phrase meaning the biological family (group) that contains elms; its meaning is directly derived from 'elm' (the tree) + 'family' (a grouping of related species). This pattern (X family = the taxonomic group containing X) is cross-linguistically common and would be understandable to a B1 learner who knows both constituent words.

Etymology

The compound elm family is made by putting together elm, the common tree, and family, a group of related things. One simple image is a group of trees that belong together and share similar flowers and leaves, so the phrase means 'a group of related flowering plants that includes elm trees'.