timber

Timber refers to wood used for building materials.

Timber can be used to refer to wood at different stages of processing. Sometimes, it refers to the trees in a wooded area that will be cut for use. Other times, it means trees that have already been cut down but not yet processed into planks and other forms to build with. And other times it refers to the wood after it has been processed (a more common word for this is lumber).

Timber is most commonly used as a mass noun, meaning it is a singular noun that refers to multiple things and does not get pluralized.

Example: Those trucks are bringing freshly cut timber to the mill.

If you cut open the word timber and count the rings inside, you’ll find that it’s a very old word—it’s been in use since at least the 900s. It comes from an Old English word that originally meant “house” or “building material.” It is related to the Old Norse word timbr (which has the same meaning) and the Greek word demein (meaning “to build”).

Timber usually refers to wood for building materials, but its specific definition varies slightly from place to place. In the United States and Canada, timber is used to describe trees that have been cut down but haven’t yet been processed into planks or boards (which are called lumber). In the United Kingdom and Australia, timber is the word used for any wood that will be used in construction.

Of course, shouting timber! is also a fun way to warn people that a tree is falling or about to fall. It has been used this way since at least the 1910s.

What are some other forms of timber?

• timbery (adjective)
• timberless (adjective)

What are some synonyms for timber?

• lumber
• wood

What are some words that share a root or word element with timber? 

• timbered 
• timberwork
• timberjack

What are some words that often get used in discussing timber?

• tree
• forestry
• building
• material
• logging
• logger
• woodcutter
• lumberjack

What are some words timber may be commonly confused with?

• timbre

Timber is most commonly used in the context of forestry and logging, but its use varies depending on location. In all cases, it usually refers to wood that will be used for building material.

Outside of the timber industry there is a skills and knowledge gap of timber and timber products, but us and the @thettfregions are changing this by taking the lead at colleges and universities across the UK to educate students and teachers. Link: https://t.co/s5mQ6OUVR9 pic.twitter.com/vVeRX5fp9J

— Timber Trade Federation (@TimberTradeFed) February 21, 2020

Our Dutch partner loading out a 41m Hard Wood timber bridge today – 91 tonnes! Amazing work 👍#WeAreBridge pic.twitter.com/KUVt3G1Hvv

— Beaver Bridges (@BridgesBeaver) February 14, 2020

I have a box of donuts,,,but when I bought it (in coles) was a quik sale.. 12 for $ 6 dollar is cheap.. but now they are hard like timber

— juan miranda (@juaremi) April 22, 2011

Which of the following things can be called timber?

A. growing trees that have not been cut
B. logs that have not been processed into wood planks
C. wood planks
D. all of the above