live oak

American

[lahyv] / laɪv /

noun

an evergreen oak, Quercus virginiana, of the southern U.S., having a short, broad trunk and shiny, oblong leaves: the state tree of Georgia.
any of various related trees.
the hard, durable wood of any of these trees.

live oak British

/ laɪv /

noun

a hard-wooded evergreen oak, Quercus virginianus, of S North America: used for shipbuilding

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of live oak

An Americanism dating back to 1600–10

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

live oak

At more than 4,000 feet, up in the Cuyamaca Mountains, it rests among coastal live oak woodlands and Coulter pine forests.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 7, 2026

In the Golden State, the beetles are attacking the coast live oak, canyon live oak and the California black oak.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 10, 2026

Green-roofed cabins housing hundreds of campers and staff dotted the area, which is lush with cypress and live oak trees.

From Salon ● Jul. 7, 2025

Having healthy, irrigated California live oak and sycamore trees on your property can save your house, Syphard said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 6, 2025

Ella skipped under a massive live oak that grew out of the center, its ancient arms a canopy of wind chimes, blue glass bottles, and shimmering orbs.

From "The Marvellers" by Dhonielle Clayton

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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023