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.

---

FIR ² American  

abbreviation

1. far-infrared radiation.

---

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

---

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

I left the concrete path and shimmied through an opening in the dense bushes that led to deeper green—tall elm, fir, and birch standing together.

From Literature

“We’ve made a lot of progress as a community working with Republicans, working with Democrats,” he said, as the sun made a brief appearance, illuminating the Douglas firs outside his door.

From Los Angeles Times

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

Related Words

• cedar
• pine