giant sequoia

American  

[jahy-uhnt si-kwaw-uh] / ˈdʒaɪ ənt sɪˈkwɔ ə /

noun

1. an endangered coniferous tree, Sequoiadendron giganteum (formerlySequoia gigantea ), of coastal California with massive girth and tremendous height, one of three extant species of subfamily Sequoioideae: the largest in volume and among the oldest of all living things, giant sequoias have been known to exceed 52,000 cubic feet (1,472 cubic meters) in trunk size, 300 feet (91.5 meters) in height, and 3,200 years in age.

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Etymology

Origin of giant sequoia

First recorded in 1930–35

Example Sentences

Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, Calif., United States - October 21: These giant sequoia saplings sprung to life in a moderate burn area of the Redwood Mountain Grove as seen on Tuesday, Oct.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 13, 2026

It would be easier to count the leaves of the giant sequoia than list the contributions of the LGBTQ+ community to the American way of life.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 6, 2024

Turnbull and other crew members have planted about 1% or 2% of the trees as coast redwoods and giant sequoia.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 21, 2024

Old-growth forests, such as the storied giant sequoia stands of northern California, have layer upon layer of undisturbed trees and vegetation.

From Washington Times • Dec. 19, 2023

The Morris Fire’s flames were so big, so intense, that they could reach the top of a giant sequoia tree, two hundred and fifty feet in the air.

From "Two Degrees" by Alan Gratz