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

If the Agitator could do this to hardwood, think what it could do to your wheat crop.

From Literature

He seemed happy to answer my endless questions, chatting about everything from the various dynastic eras to the differences among vessel forms and the characteristics of certain hardwoods.

From Literature

The exhibition also spotlighted India's diverse range of high-quality hardwoods such as teak, rosewood and ebony, and the country's deeply-rooted traditions of intricate handcrafting by local artisans.

From BBC

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

Just two years ago, they were among the worst teams ever to set foot on the hardwood, an abject disaster that once lost 28 games in a row.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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