butcher block

American  

noun

1. a slab of wood resembling that used for a butcher's chopping block, formed by bonding or gluing together thick laminated strips of unpainted wood, usually maple or oak, in alternating light and dark shades to produce a striped pattern.

2. a material, as vinyl, made to resemble butcher block in color and pattern.

---

Other Word Forms

• butcher-block adjective

Etymology

Origin of butcher block

First recorded in 1835–45

Example Sentences

I keep my eyes peeled to decipher what’s on the plates and the butcher block.

From Salon • Nov. 1, 2025

The couple also chose to preserve the funky kitchen island — a walnut dresser with drawers; they freshened it up with a new butcher block countertop to match the others.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 25, 2024

Series host Johnny Hohman, wearing his signature flowery apron, string of pearls and red cat-eye sunglasses, prepares for his intro next to the kitchen’s butcher block.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 23, 2022

The shop, whose black-and-white checkered interiors hold a butcher block, slicer and mincer, labels itself Asia’s first plant-based meat “butchery.”

From Washington Post • Oct. 5, 2022

The knife slides into the butcher block with a whisper.

From "Wintergirls" by Laurie Halse Anderson