cedar

American  

[see-der] / ˈsi dər /

noun

1. any of several Old World, coniferous trees of the genus Cedrus, having wide, spreading branches.

2. any of various junipers, as the red cedar, Juniperus virginiana, of the cypress family, having reddish-brown bark and dark-blue, berrylike fruit.

3. any of various other coniferous trees.

4. any of several trees belonging to the genus Cedrela, of the mahogany family, as the Spanish cedar.

5. Also called cedarwood.  the fragrant wood of any of these trees, used in furniture and as a moth repellent.

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cedar British  

/ ˈsiːdə /

noun

1. any Old World coniferous tree of the genus Cedrus, having spreading branches, needle-like evergreen leaves, and erect barrel-shaped cones: family Pinaceae See also cedar of Lebanon deodar

2. any of various other conifers, such as the red cedars and white cedars

3. the wood of any of these trees

4. any of certain other plants, such as the Spanish cedar

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adjective

1. made of the wood of a cedar tree

Etymology

Origin of cedar

before 1000; Middle English cedir, Old English ceder < Latin cedrus < Greek kédros; replacing Middle English cedre < Old French < Latin, as above

Example Sentences

Ten feet away, a giant cedar tree swayed and crashed to the ground.

From Literature

We make our way through the gate, passing a long row of ancient cedars.

From Literature

Akira loved this time of year, when the air was crisp and cool and smelled like cedar and Douglas fir.

From Literature

This was the place where families could raise their children in peace under the deodar cedars and watch the San Gabriels fade to a distinct purple as the sun set.

From Los Angeles Times

California Pizza Kitchen aims to highlight its diverse sit-down menu, which includes cedar plank salmon and braised short rib served with pappardelle pasta.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• evergreen