deadwood

American  

[ded-wood] / ˈdɛdˌwʊd /

noun

1. the dead branches on a tree; dead branches or trees.

2. useless or burdensome persons or things.

   He cut the deadwood from his staff.

3. (in writing) unnecessary words, phrases, or exposition; expendable verbiage.

   This could be a thoughtful and incisive essay if you get rid of the deadwood.

4. Nautical. a solid construction, serving only as reinforcement, located between the keel of a vessel and the stem or sternpost.

5. Bowling. pins remaining on the alley after having been knocked down by the ball.

6. Cards.

   1. Rummy. cards in a hand that have not been included in sets and are usually counted as points against the holder.

   2. Poker. cards that have been discarded.

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deadwood British  

/ ˈdɛdˌwʊd /

noun

1. dead trees or branches

2. informal a useless person; encumbrance

3. nautical a filler piece between the keel and the stern of a wooden vessel

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Etymology

Origin of deadwood

First recorded in 1720–30; dead + wood ¹

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

deadwood

Canada has all but abandoned prescribed burning—deliberate, controlled fires that clear out the deadwood and undergrowth that turn ordinary fires into monsters.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 12, 2026

He says: "We repeatedly found seedlings and adults with juvenile root structures near decaying logs, not scattered randomly in the forest. That recurring pattern inspired us to test whether deadwood fungi fuel orchid beginnings."

From Science Daily ● Oct. 8, 2025

Their grazing also reduced fire hazards, as did local families collecting deadwood to burn in the winter.

From Seattle Times ● Dec. 4, 2023

Mr Sarma had earlier vowed to "cut the deadwood out of the police force".

From BBC ● May 1, 2023

He looked around for deadwood, but the flood had washed most of it away.

From "Wolf Brother" by Michelle Paver

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Related Words

• unnecessary

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