red oak

American  

noun

1. any of several oak trees, as Quercus rubra, or Q. falcata, of North America.

2. the hard, cross-grained wood of these trees.

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red oak British  

noun

1. any of several deciduous oak trees, esp Quercus borealis , native to North America, having bristly leaves with triangular lobes and acorns with small cups

2. the hard cross-grained reddish wood of this tree

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Etymology

Origin of red oak

An Americanism dating back to 1625–35

Example Sentences

It’s a medium-brown color that is extremely close to the red oak hardwood floors we had in the last home I built.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 24, 2023

Conversely, the U.S. native red oak has invaded parts of Europe, he said.

From Scientific American • May 5, 2023

Earlier this year the team described how some deer mice, depending on their personality, were more likely than others to cache red oak, white pine and American beech nuts in ways that promoted germination.

From New York Times • Nov. 25, 2022

I may yet find one last flush of shiitakes stair-stepping up the side of an old stump, feeding themselves on the rich red oak.

From Salon • Nov. 24, 2022

It hummed a tune in the underbrush and rustled the leaves on the huge red oak.

From "Where the Red Fern Grows" by Wilson Rawls