sweet gum

noun

1. a tall, aromatic tree, Liquidambar styraciflua, of the eastern U.S., having star-shaped leaves and fruits in rounded, burlike clusters.

2. the hard reddish-brown wood of this tree, used for making furniture.

3. the amber balsam exuded by this tree, used in the manufacture of perfumes and medicines.

sweet gum

noun

1. a North American liquidambar tree, Liquidambar styraciflua, having prickly spherical fruit clusters and fragrant sap: the wood (called satin walnut ) is used to make furniture Compare sour gum

2. the sap of this tree

Word History and Origins

Origin of sweet gum¹

An Americanism dating back to 1690–1700