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Synonyms

softwood

American  
[sawft-wood, soft-] / ˈsɔftˌwʊd, ˈsɒft- /

noun

  1. any wood that is relatively soft or easily cut.

  2. a tree yielding such a wood.

  3. Forestry. a coniferous tree or its wood.

adjective

  1. of, relating to, or made of softwood.

softwood British  
/ ˈsɒftˌwʊd /

noun

  1. the open-grained wood of any of numerous coniferous trees, such as pine and cedar, as distinguished from that of a dicotyledonous tree

  2. any tree yielding this wood

"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
softwood Scientific  
/ sôft′wd′ /

  1. A coniferous tree, especially as distinguished from an angiosperm, or hardwood, tree.

  2. The wood of a coniferous tree. Softwoods are in general softer than hardwoods. However, some softwoods, such as yew, are comparatively hard, while some hardwoods, such as basswood, are comparatively soft.

Etymology

Origin of softwood

First recorded in 1825–35; soft + wood 1

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.

In October, a 10-percent duty on imported softwood timber and lumber came into effect, along with a 25-percent duty on certain upholstered furniture and kitchen cabinets.

From Barron's • Jan. 1, 2026

In addition, softwood lumber, which is key for home construction, could score relief, they said.

From MarketWatch • Dec. 12, 2025

Prices for lumber and other sawmill products were up month-on-month, led by softwood lumber.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 20, 2025

On Tuesday, Trump's new 10% tariff on softwood lumber came into effect.

From BBC • Oct. 16, 2025

The soil under the latter has a pH of 5.22, the hardwood sawdust 5.07, the softwood sawdust 5.07, hardwood shavings 5.20, and wheat straw 5.35.

From Northern Nut Growers Association Report of the Proceedings at the Thirty-Seventh Annual Report Wooster, Ohio, September 3, 4, 5, 1946 by Northern Nut Growers Association

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

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.