1. a young tree, especially one with a slender trunk
2. a young person, especially one who is slender or inexperienced
Usage: informal

Examples

• The gardener planted several oak saplings along the fence.
• Strong winds bent the flexible sapling but didn’t break it.
• We need to protect these saplings from deer during their first year.
• The forest was full of young saplings growing in the sunlight.
• That sapling will grow into a mighty oak tree someday.
• The coach called the rookie player a sapling who needed more experience.