hardwood

American  

[hahrd-wood] / ˈhɑrdˌwʊd /

noun

1. the hard, hard, compact wood or timber of various trees, as the oak, cherry, maple, or mahogany.

2. a tree yielding such wood.

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adjective

1. made or constructed of hardwood.

   a hardwood floor.

hardwood British  

/ ˈhɑːdˌwʊd /

noun

1. the wood of any of numerous broad-leaved dicotyledonous trees, such as oak, beech, ash, etc, as distinguished from the wood of a conifer

2. any tree from which this wood is obtained

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hardwood Scientific  

/ härd′wd′ /

1. A eudicot or magnoliid tree, especially as distinguished from a coniferous, or softwood, tree.

2. The wood of a eudicot or magnoliid tree. Hardwoods are in general harder than softwood. However, some hardwoods, such as basswood, are comparatively soft, while some softwoods, such as yew, are comparatively hard.

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Etymology

Origin of hardwood

First recorded in 1560–70; hard + wood ¹

Example Sentences

And yet how many Americans haven’t stared down a hardwood alley with murderous intent, preparing to unload a polished missile against 10 arrogant pins?

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 12, 2026

Coffee Confessionals is admittedly small but cozy, with hardwood floors, bountiful string lights and just a few cafe tables inside.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 26, 2026

While there are no interior photos, the listing notes that the layout features “light-filled living spaces” in an idyllic setting, complete with fireplaces, high ceilings, and hardwood floors.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 5, 2026

The dense and heavy tropical hardwood is prized for its remarkable properties such as rot and salt resistance, as well as its beauty and as a symbol of status and prestige.

From BBC • Feb. 2, 2026

Indoors there were hardwood floors, waxed daily to a perfect gleam.

From "The Hot Zone" by Richard Preston

Related Words

• forest
• sapling
• seedling
• shrub
• timber
• wood