annual ring

American  

noun

1. an annual formation of wood in plants, consisting of two concentric layers, one of springwood and one of summerwood.

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annual ring British  

noun

1. Also called: tree ring.  a ring of wood indicating one year's growth, seen in the transverse section of stems and roots of woody plants growing in temperate climates

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annual ring Scientific  

1. See under growth ring

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Etymology

Origin of annual ring

First recorded in 1875–80

Example Sentences

“The tree-ring patterns in the cross-sections were visually inspected,” the research paper said, “and then the annual ring widths were measured to the nearest 0.001 mm.”

From New York Times • Sep. 7, 2022

Geoghan’s friends said he was known for deflecting praise, asking others to speak at the McDonald’s games’ annual ring ceremony.

From Washington Post • Mar. 28, 2022

"Diffuse-porous" Woods. ar, annual ring; pr, pith rays which are "broad" at a, "fine" at b, "indistinct" at d.

From Wood and Forest by Noyes, William

A, fir; B, "hard" pine; C, soft pine; ar, annual ring; o.e., outer edge of ring; i.e., inner edge of ring; s.w., summer wood; sp.w., spring wood; rd., resin ducts.

From Wood and Forest by Noyes, William

Each annual ring in the chestnut stump is distinct from its neighboring ring.

From Trees Worth Knowing by Rogers, Julia Ellen