redwood

noun

red·​wood ˈred-ˌwu̇d 

1

: any of various woods (such as brazilwood) yielding a red dye

2

: a tree that yields a red dyewood or produces red or reddish wood

3

a

: a very tall coniferous tree (Sequoia sempervirens) of the cypress family that grows chiefly in coastal California, sometimes reaches a height of 360 feet (110 meters), and is a commercially important timber tree

called also coast redwood

see cone illustration compare dawn redwood

b

: its brownish-red durable wood

Examples of redwood in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Is there someone who will want to feel small next to a giant redwood with me; savor sunsets; stay up late and drive out of the city to watch meteor showers; let my icy hands find warmth on their back; duet with me in the car; be with me on the journey of becoming our best selves? —Erin Jensen, USA TODAY, 14 Jan. 2025

With four bedrooms and three bathrooms, the house had walls and floors of concrete complemented by a palette of redwood, teak, fir and glass block. —Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 11 Jan. 2025

Made from reclaimed redwood from New York City's historic water tanks, every piece is hand-crafted in Brooklyn and individually hand-stamped. —Amanda Lauren, Forbes, 7 Dec. 2024

In the spring of 1977, the then-president was offered a gift from Northern California: a 9-ton peanut carved from a redwood tree. —Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 10 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1533, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing redwood

• coast redwood
• dawn redwood

Kids Definition

redwood

noun

red·​wood ˈred-ˌwu̇d 

: a tall cone-producing evergreen tree mostly of coastal California that is related to the bald cypresses and sometimes grows to be 360 feet (110 meters) tall

also : its light long-lasting brownish red wood