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.

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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

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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.

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Etymology

Origin of softwood

First recorded in 1825–35; soft + wood ¹

Example Sentences

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

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

From MarketWatch

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

From The Wall Street Journal

And more recent levies are expected to affect Canada’s copper, furniture and softwood lumber.

From The Wall Street Journal

Duties on lumber from Canada had already risen to 14.4% this summer after the expiration of a U.S.-Canada agreement on softwood lumber.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• forest
• sapling
• seedling
• shrub
• timber
• wood