fir

¹ American  

[fur] / fɜr /

noun

1. any coniferous tree belonging to the genus Abies, of the pine family, characterized by its pyramidal style of growth, flat needles, and erect cones.

2. the wood of such a tree.

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FIR ² American  

abbreviation

1. far-infrared radiation.

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fir British  

/ fɜː /

noun

1. any pyramidal coniferous tree of the N temperate genus Abies , having single needle-like leaves and erect cones: family Pinaceae See also red fir silver fir balsam fir

2. any of various other trees of the family Pinaceae , such as the Douglas fir

3. the wood of any of these trees

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Etymology

Origin of fir

1250–1300; Middle English firre, Old English fyrh; cognate with Old Saxon furie; akin to Old English furh- (in fuhrwudu pine), Old Norse fura fir, Latin quercus oak (< *perkwu- )

Example Sentences

At the elevation where the oak and scrub give way to cedar, fir and pine, I had a horrific shock rounding a familiar bend anticipating a thrill I had felt so many times before.

From Los Angeles Times

A $5 permit, a hike through the snow, and a glorious Douglas fir we covered in lights.

From The Wall Street Journal

At last, we found it: a sturdy Douglas fir with boughs that had pleasant symmetry and enough firmness to carry ornaments.

From The Wall Street Journal

Forest is more valuable there than in the South due to high prices for logs from Douglas fir trees that often are exported to Asia.

From Barron's

The company’s forests in Oregon and Washington state are particularly valuable because they produce desirable wood from Douglas fir trees.

From Barron's

Related Words

• cedar
• pine