redwood

¹ American  

[red-wood] / ˈrɛdˌwʊd /

noun

redwoods plural

1. any of the three extant tree species of the coniferous subfamily Sequoioideae, specifically the giant sequoia, coast redwood, and dawn redwood.

2. the valuable brownish-red timber of the coast redwood or giant sequoia, the harvesting of which is strictly regulated.

3. a red or reddish wood.

4. any of various trees yielding a red or reddish wood.

5. any tree whose wood produces a red dyestuff.

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adjective

1. made of red or reddish wood, especially that of the coast redwood or giant sequoia, the harvesting of which is strictly regulated.

   a six-piece set of redwood furniture for the patio.

redwood ² American  

[red-wood] / ˈrɛdˌwʊd /

Or redwud

adjective

Scot.

1. raving mad; insane.

2. distracted with anger; furious.

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redwood British  

/ ˈrɛdˌwʊd /

noun

1. a giant coniferous tree, Sequoia sempervirens , of coastal regions of California, having reddish fibrous bark and durable timber: family Taxodiaceae . The largest specimen is over 120 metres (360 feet) tall See also sequoia

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• redwoods
  plural

Etymology

Origin of redwood¹

First recorded in 1610–20; red ¹ + wood ¹

Origin of redwood²

First recorded in 1550–60; red ¹ + wood ²

Explanation

Redwoods are a kind of large, ancient evergreen trees commonly found on the coast of California. Coastal redwoods are the tallest living things on Earth. These magnificent trees are made up of three species, Sequoia and Sequoiadendron in California and Oregon, and China's Metasequoia. Redwoods have adapted over millions of years to be resistant to fire and infection, and they can reach heights of over 300 feet. Their name comes from the reddish-brown shade of their wood and bark. In 16th-century Scotland, the unrelated adjective redwood was used to mean "completely deranged."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

redwood redwoods

The Botanical Gardens, a redwood grove, pickleball courts and a panoramic view of the city are an easy bike ride from home.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 6, 2026

“Hardwood floors, and made out of redwood so you don’t have to worry about termites.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 2, 2026

Workers lived in the town’s redwood cottages and paid rent to their employer.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 2, 2026

It includes familiar names like oak, birch, and alder, alongside less common species such as coast redwood and Corsican pine, which it is hoped will lead to a more resilient woodland.

From BBC ● Oct. 19, 2025

New sweet wood was going in, pine sharp with resin and velvety redwood and a new roof of long split shakes.

From "East of Eden" by John Steinbeck

About five years ago, community members caught wind of plans to chop down towering redwoods within Jackson, near the coastal town of Caspar.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 10, 2026

Here are tips for visiting redwoods, snagging hotel pool day-pass deals, and taking your dog for a hike on a friendly L.A. trail.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 19, 2026

Chan’s cottage-style home is shaded by the kind of towering redwoods you see in national parks.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 21, 2025

The new design includes California’s redwoods, poppies and coastline.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 2, 2025

After an hour or two meandering through the redwoods, Mom sharing a bunch of different facts as we go, we turn to make our way back to the parking lot.

From "The Wrong Way Home" by Kate O’Shaughnessy