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

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

softwood

Greer told the New York Times on Saturday that the Trump administration offered to eliminate a 10-percent tariff on softwood lumber, and reduce the 25-percent autos tariff.

From Barron's ● Aug. 24, 2026

The Quintanas’ shipments were suddenly declared to be coming from other countries, or to be softwood plywood, to which the high tariffs didn’t apply, according to court records.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 28, 2026

It also faces steeper tariffs on steel, aluminium and softwood lumber.

From BBC ● Feb. 25, 2026

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

From MarketWatch ● Dec. 12, 2025

A piece of ½-inch softwood dowel about 5 inches long with 4 No. 9 sewing needles imbedded in one end is used to pick up the kernels.

From Northern Nut Growers Association Thirty-Fourth Annual Report 1943 by Northern Nut Growers Association

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Related Words

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

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