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

Canadian softwood imports were down 15% through May, compared with a year earlier, according to Foreign Agricultural Service data.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 5, 2026

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

From BBC ● Feb. 25, 2026

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

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

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Related Words

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

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