coniferous

American  

[koh-nif-er-uhs, kuh-] / koʊˈnɪf ər əs, kə- /

adjective

Botany.

1. belonging or pertaining to the conifers.

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coniferous British  

/ kɒ-, kəˈnɪfərəs /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or belonging to the plant phylum Coniferophyta See conifer

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Etymology

Origin of coniferous

First recorded in 1655–65; see origin at conifer, -ous

Explanation

Anything that's coniferous has to do with trees or shrubs that grow pinecones. If you celebrate Christmas, you might observe the holiday by decorating a coniferous tree with lights and ornaments. The adjective coniferous is used to describe conifers, woody evergreens that have cones and needles rather than leaves. Coniferous forests and taigas are full of these trees, including pines, hemlocks, junipers, and firs. Whenever you see a pinecone, you can be sure it came from a coniferous tree or shrub. The Latin source of coniferous means "cone-bearing," from roots conus, "cone," and ferre, "to carry."

Example Sentences

Although Weyerhaeuser’s hardwood forests in New England and West Virginia are logged selectively and naturally regenerate, its coniferous timberlands in the South and Pacific Northwest are clear-cut and replanted.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 23, 2026

One example of this is found in mixed forests, which contain coniferous evergreen tree species whose ancestors lived over 300 million years ago.

From Science Daily • Dec. 3, 2024

It tore through more than 4,000 acres of dense coniferous forest near the Seattle City Light’s hydropower dams and two towns that house staff.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 1, 2024

This pattern has been identified as one of the unexpected symptoms of climate change, and its impact on the chickadees is providing an early warning of the disruptions ahead within these coniferous forest ecosystems.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 20, 2023

She was pointing to a great cedar, one of the few coniferous trees among the rest.

From "The Book of Dust: La Belle Sauvage" by Philip Pullman