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lumber
1[ luhm-ber ]
/ ˈlʌm bər /
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noun
timber sawed or split into planks, boards, etc.
miscellaneous useless articles that are stored away.
verb (used without object)
to cut timber and prepare it for market.
to become useless or to be stored away as useless.
verb (used with object)
QUIZ
THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?
Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.
Question 1 of 7
In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…
Origin of lumber
1First recorded in 1545–55; of uncertain origin; perhaps because the cut and trimmed timber was dried and seasoned in a lumber room
OTHER WORDS FROM lumber
lum·ber·er, nounlum·ber·less, adjectiveWords nearby lumber
lumb-, lumbago, lumbar, lumbar plexus, lumbar puncture, lumber, lumbering, lumberjack, lumber jacket, lumberman, lumbermill
Other definitions for lumber (2 of 2)
lumber2
[ luhm-ber ]
/ ˈlʌm bər /
verb (used without object)
to move clumsily or heavily, especially from great or ponderous bulk: overloaded wagons lumbering down the dirt road.
to make a rumbling noise.
Origin of lumber
2First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English lomeren; compare dialectal Swedish lomra “to resound, roar,” loma “to walk heavily”
OTHER WORDS FROM lumber
lum·ber·ly, adjectiveDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use lumber in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for lumber (1 of 2)
lumber1
/ (ˈlʌmbə) /
noun
mainly US and Canadian
- logs; sawn timber
- cut timber, esp when sawn and dressed ready for use in joinery, carpentry, etc
- (as modifier)the lumber trade
British
- useless household articles that are stored away
- (as modifier)lumber room
verb
Derived forms of lumber
lumberer, nounWord Origin for lumber
C17: perhaps from a noun use of lumber ²
British Dictionary definitions for lumber (2 of 2)
Word Origin for lumber
C14 lomeren; perhaps related to lome lame 1, Swedish dialect loma to move ponderously
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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