balsa

[bawl-suh, bahl-]

noun

1. a tropical American tree, Ochroma pyramidale (lagopus ), of the bombax family, yielding an exceedingly light wood used for life preservers, rafts, toy airplanes, etc.

2. a raft made of balsa wood.

3. any life raft.

balsa

/ ˈbɔːlsə /

noun

1. a bombacaceous tree, Ochroma lagopus , of tropical America

2. Also called: balsawood. the very light wood of this tree, used for making rafts, etc

3. a light raft

Word History and Origins

Origin of balsa¹

1770–80; < Spanish: boat

Word History and Origins

Origin of balsa¹

C18: from Spanish: raft

Example Sentences

"All you can see of Chewie's feet are his toes. My dad carved them out of balsa wood as he is an engineer too," he said.

Read more on BBC

Jordan’s response: "If he did that to me, I'd snap his neck like a twig of dried balsa wood."

Read more on Salon

Mike Flusche, a fellow wrestler around the same time, said he remembers hearing Jordan’s “balsa wood” comment.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“Going through my brain were suitable expletives. I hit the brakes, by which time it was too late, it was like balsa wood flying absolutely everywhere.”

Read more on New York Times

He laid out the physics hurdles of such an epic voyage and even crafted a prototype spacecraft from poster board, balsa wood, and Elmer’s glue.

Read more on Science Magazine

Related Words

• barge 
• boat 
• life raft 
• lifeboat