driftwood

[drift-wood]

noun

1. wood floating on a body of water or cast ashore by it.

2. such wood adapted for use in interior decoration.

adjective

1. of, relating to, or made of driftwood.

   a driftwood lamp.

driftwood

/ ˈdrɪftˌwʊd /

noun

1. wood floating on or washed ashore by the sea or other body of water

Word History and Origins

Origin of driftwood¹

First recorded in 1605–15; drift + wood ¹

Example Sentences

My tent set up and food safely stored in the provided metal boxes, I went over to the tiny beach and sat on a driftwood log, relaxing under the sun’s warm rays.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The Dreadnaught was — well, you’ve eaten there, or someplace like it: a big, old, ramshackle driftwood pile, built out over the water on ancient wooden pylons.

Read more on Salon

At low tide, the sea is not visible beyond the expanse of grassland, but the area is littered with driftwood, some plastic waste and there is even a small, upturned boat nearby.

Read more on BBC

In the midst of this waits Moonstone Beach, often strewn with driftwood, and Moonstone Beach Drive, which is lined by about a dozen inns and boutique hotels.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

"Coming into a world where you are not as accepted, you are a bit like driftwood," he said.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• chunk 
• piece 
• timber 
• wood