big tree

American

[big tree] / ˈbɪg ˈtri /

noun

giant sequoia.

big tree British

noun

Also called: giant sequoia. wellingtonia. a giant Californian coniferous tree, Sequoiadendron giganteum , with a wide tapering trunk and thick spongy bark: family Taxodiaceae . It often reaches a height of 90 metres See also sequoia

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of big tree

An Americanism dating back to 1850–55

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

I was especially wary of the big tree at the edge of the cliffs.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 17, 2025

The strong winds had knocked a big tree over just around the corner from their home.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 17, 2024

Other times, she stood and watched in fascination as squirrels ran up and down a nearby big tree.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 31, 2023

"I'm seeing a lot more trees down. And there's a big tree that just fell over there, and I probably shouldn't be out here."

From Reuters • Aug. 21, 2023

We walked all around the big tree and really looked it over.

From "Summer of the Monkeys" by Wilson Rawls

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023