hardwood

[hahrd-wood]

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.

adjective

1. made or constructed of hardwood.

   a hardwood floor.

hardwood

/ 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

hardwood

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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of hardwood¹

First recorded in 1560–70; hard + wood ¹

Example Sentences

And though the 20-year veteran barely lifted a palm — leaving the cheering to his wife and daughter — Paul’s court savvy still seemed to seep across the hardwood, finding its way to the Sparks’ Kelsey Plum.

From Los Angeles Times

After the Storm missed their final chance to win, pandemonium spilled onto the floor — Sparks players leaping into one another’s arms, fans hollering over the hardwood, chanting “Hamby” in celebration of the Sparks’ 94-91 victory.

From Los Angeles Times

The BIG3 basketball atmosphere is one of a West Coast summer-style block party — quite literally — bursting with frenetic hip-hop energy brought straight to the hardwood.

From Los Angeles Times

Sidelined since July 15 with a right groin injury, Clark never touched the hardwood Tuesday.

From Los Angeles Times

It allows them to mimic the structure and density of much more valuable hardwood.

From BBC

Related Words

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