redwood

[ red-wood ]

noun

any of the three extant tree species of the coniferous subfamily Sequoioideae, specifically the giant sequoia, coast redwood, and dawn redwood.
the valuable brownish-red timber of the coast redwood or giant sequoia, the harvesting of which is strictly regulated.

a red or reddish wood.
any of various trees yielding a red or reddish wood.
any tree whose wood produces a red dyestuff.

adjective

made of red or reddish wood, especially that of the coast redwood or giant sequoia, the harvesting of which is strictly regulated: a six-piece set of redwood furniture for the patio.

Origin of redwood

First recorded in 1610–20; red¹ + wood¹

Other definitions for redwood (2 of 2)

redwood²

or red·wud

[ red-wood ]

adjectiveScot.

raving mad; insane.
distracted with anger; furious.

Origin of redwood

First recorded in 1550–60; red¹ + wood²

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use redwood in a sentence

The differences between paramecium, redwoods, and blue whales are easy to spot.
Your Probiotic Is Probably B.S. | Carrie Arnold | June 25, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
The school was made up of low, Mission Revival–style buildings surrounded by redwoods and eucalyptus trees stirred by the wind.
Adventures with an Extreme Polyglot: Excerpt from 'Babel No More' | Michael Erard | January 10, 2012 | THE DAILY BEAST
It counts the destruction of our redwoods and the loss of our natural wonder in chaotic sprawl.
Happy F---ing Labor Day, Rahm! | Michael Moore | September 7, 2010 | THE DAILY BEAST
Great forests of these trees, with cedars almost as large as the redwoods, are in the northern counties also.
Stories of California | Ella M. Sexton
Do you remember the sweet creamy white azaleas and the buckeyes that grow along the creeks in the redwoods?
Stories of California | Ella M. Sexton

People carelessly call these grand trees "redwoods" or "big trees," but their family name is Sequoia, an Indian chief's name.
Stories of California | Ella M. Sexton
The robin, who comes to city gardens in the winter, has a summer home in the mountains or redwoods.
Stories of California | Ella M. Sexton
Two or three kinds of tree-squirrels live in the pines and redwoods, the Douglas squirrel being well known in the mountains.
Stories of California | Ella M. Sexton

British Dictionary definitions for redwood

redwood

/ (ˈrɛdˌwʊd) /

noun

a giant coniferous tree, Sequoia sempervirens, of coastal regions of California, having reddish fibrous bark and durable timber: family Taxodiaceae . The largest specimen is over 120 metres (360 feet) tall: See also sequoia

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Browse