sequoia

American  

[si-kwoi-uh] / sɪˈkwɔɪ ə /

noun

1. giant sequoia.

2. coast redwood.

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sequoia British  

/ sɪˈkwɔɪə /

noun

1. either of two giant Californian coniferous trees, Sequoia sempervirens ( redwood ) or Sequoiadendron giganteum (formerly Sequoia gigantea ) ( big tree or giant sequoia ): family Taxodiaceae

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Etymology

Origin of sequoia

An Americanism dating back to 1840–50; named after Sequoya

Example Sentences

Firefighters hold the line in the Sierra, protecting communities and a giant sequoia grove amid a day of ‘dynamic fire activity’ from the Garnet fire.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 8, 2025

Of California’s roughly 80 giant sequoia groves, McKinley was ranked among the most vulnerable to fire, according to Ben Blom of the League, citing a report that has not been publicly released.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 5, 2025

Without prompting he'll enthusiastically offer up fun facts about the Golden Gate Bridge, the subject of his book, or the root system of a sequoia.

From Salon • Nov. 21, 2024

My favorite and inspiring tree is a sequoia that lives in a quarry south of Quilcene on the Olympic Peninsula.

From Seattle Times • May 24, 2024

The largest sequoia here was twelve feet wide, and it stretched so high up into the sky Akira had to crane her neck back to see the top of it.

From "Two Degrees" by Alan Gratz