pine

¹ American  

[pahyn] / paɪn /

noun

1. any evergreen, conifer of the genus Pinus, having long, needle-shaped leaves, certain species of which yield timber, turpentine, tar, pitch, etc.

2. any of various similar coniferous trees.

3. the wood of the pine tree.

4. Informal. the pineapple.

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pine ² American  

[pahyn] / paɪn /

verb (used without object)

pined, pining

1. to yearn deeply; suffer with longing; long painfully (often followed byfor ).

   to pine for one's home and family.

2. to fail gradually in health or vitality from grief, regret, or longing (often followed byaway ).

   Separated by their families, the lovers pined away.

   Synonyms:

   waste, droop, languish, decline, dwindle

3. Archaic. to be discontented; fret.

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verb (used with object)

pined, pining

1. Archaic. to suffer grief or regret over.

noun

1. Archaic. painful longing.

pine ¹ British  

/ paɪn /

noun

1. any evergreen resinous coniferous tree of the genus Pinus, of the N hemisphere, with long needle-shaped leaves and brown cones: family Pinaceae See also longleaf pine nut pine pitch pine Scots pine

2. any other tree or shrub of the family Pinaceae

3. the wood of any of these trees

4. any of various similar but unrelated plants, such as ground pine and screw pine

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pine ² British  

/ paɪn /

verb

1. (intr; often foll by for or an infinitive) to feel great longing or desire; yearn

2. to become ill, feeble, or thin through worry, longing, etc

3. archaic (tr) to mourn or grieve for

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Pine ³ British  

/ paɪn /

noun

1. Courtney. born 1964, British jazz saxophonist and clarinettist

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Related Words

See yearn.

Other Word Forms

• pinelike adjective

Etymology

Origin of pine¹

First recorded before 1000; Middle English pin(e), pigne, Old English pīntrēow “pine tree,” from Old French pin and Latin pīnus

Origin of pine²

First recorded before 900; Middle English pinen “to torture, torment, inflict pain, be in pain”; Old English pīnian “to torture,” derivative of pīn “torture” ( Middle English pine ), from Late Latin pēna, Latin poena “punishment”; pain

Example Sentences

A pine marten has been caught on camera in Cornwall in what conservationists hope could be the start of a comeback in the county.

From BBC • Mar. 24, 2026

According to the Murrieta Police Department, officers responded to a residential structure fire at 41690 Knight Drive and found a mobile home, carport, three vehicles, two outbuildings and a large pine tree engulfed in flames.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 14, 2026

Pike perch tartare from Lake Oulujärvi rests on malt bread with capers and dill oil and a whisper of pine tar.

From Salon • Mar. 8, 2026

Shadow went and out came back later with some fluff — soft material like pine needles, moss or grass — to warm and cushion the egg.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 25, 2026

A pine table about four feet square sat in the middle of that platform, surrounded by five or six chairs.

From "American Spirits" by Barb Rosenstock

Related Words

• ache
• crave
• grieve
• hanker
• mourn
• yearn