western red cedar

noun

1. an arborvitae, Thuja plicata, of western North America, grown as an ornamental.
2. the soft, fragrant, reddish wood of this tree, used in the construction of houses, in shipbuilding, for making boxes, etc.

western red cedar

noun

1. a large North American arbor vitae, Thuja plicata, found along and near the Pacific coast
2. the wood of this tree, used by North American Indians for building and for carving totem poles

Word History and Origins

Origin of western red cedar¹

An Americanism dating back to 1900–05

Example Sentences

The western red cedar has a shorter and more tapering trunk and its volume in board feet is proportionally smaller.

From Project Gutenberg

The western red cedar (title page and fig. 5) ranges from south-eastern Alaska to northern California.

From Project Gutenberg

The western red cedar makes excellent posts and rails for farm fences.

From Project Gutenberg

Unlike that of the western red cedar, the trunk is usually sound to the center.

From Project Gutenberg

It resembles that of the common western red cedar, but the leaves are sharper, more pointed, and rougher to handle.

From Project Gutenberg