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

For more than a century, people had come to swim and camp under the firs that towered hundreds of feet overhead.

From Literature

Akira and Sue limped through a patch of California lilac and white firs, the fire hissing and growling somewhere behind them.

From Literature

He pointed over toward a cluster of fir trees on the far side of the yard, where we could speak more privately.

From Literature

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

Related Words

• cedar
• pine