hemlock

American  

[hem-lok] / ˈhɛmˌlɒk /

noun

1. a poisonous plant, Conium maculatum, of the parsley family, having purple-spotted stems, finely divided leaves, and umbels of small white flowers, used medicinally as a powerful sedative.

2. a poisonous drink made from this plant.

3. any of various other plants, especially of the genus Cicuta, as the water hemlock.

4. Also called hemlock spruce.  any of several coniferous trees of the genus Tsuga, native to the U.S., characterized by a pyramidal manner of growth.

5. the soft, light wood of a hemlock tree, used in making paper, in the construction of buildings, etc.

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hemlock British  

/ ˈhɛmˌlɒk /

noun

1. US name: poison hemlock.  an umbelliferous poisonous Eurasian plant, Conium maculatum, having finely divided leaves, spotted stems, and small white flowers See also water hemlock

2. a poisonous drug derived from this plant

3. Also called: hemlock spruce.  any coniferous tree of the genus Tsuga, of North America and E Asia, having short flat needles: family Pinaceae See also western hemlock

4. the wood of any of these trees, used for lumber and as a source of wood pulp

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Etymology

Origin of hemlock

before 900; Middle English hemlok, humlok, Old English hymlic, hemlic; perhaps akin to Old English hymele hop plant

Example Sentences

“I wanted our house to feel really warm and bring nature inside,” says Lindsay, referring to the Western hemlock tongue and groove planks that she and Daniel installed on the walls and ceilings.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 22, 2025

At the Jamestown S’Klallam tribe on the Olympic Peninsula, Hilton Turnbull, the tribe’s habitat biologist, is planting redwoods alongside species like Douglas fir, western hemlock and grand fir.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 21, 2024

The PropagationNation website also recommends planting redwoods in areas where native western red cedar, western hemlock, Sitka spruce and big leaf maple already grow.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 30, 2023

Case’s project involves testing whether breeds of native Douglas fir and western hemlock from drier parts of the Pacific Northwest can be used to help Western Washington forests adapt to climate change.

From Seattle Times • Dec. 30, 2023

I would tether Frightful to a hemlock bough above me and splash her from time to time.

From "My Side of the Mountain" by Jean Craighead George