hardwood

1 of 2

noun

hard·​wood ˈhärd-ˌwu̇d 

1

: the wood of an angiospermous tree as distinguished from that of a coniferous tree

2

: a tree that yields hardwood

3

: a basketball court

hardwood

2 of 2

adjective

1

: having or made of hardwood

hardwood floors

2

: consisting of mature woody tissue

hardwood cuttings

Examples of hardwood in a Sentence

Noun

They used expensive hardwoods for the flooring.

oaks, maples, and other hardwoods

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The video shows the couple peeling back panels of grey laminate flooring, revealing the 100-year-old hardwood floors underneath. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 5 Feb. 2025

Photo: Corcoran One of four bedrooms is lined with new hardwood floors as featured in this listing photo. —Clio Chang, Curbed, 5 Feb. 2025

Adjective

The nice part about this place is that it hasn’t been overly renovated, and what’s there is kind of classic — there’s a working fireplace, crown moldings, and hardwood floors. —Clio Chang, Curbed, 4 Feb. 2025

Inside, four bedrooms and four baths are draped across 2,605 square feet of multi-level living space accented with hardwood floors, 20-foot ceilings, interior windows, and vast expanses of glass offering picturesque views that encompass Universal Studios, the Hollywood Sign, and beyond. —Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 29 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1686, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1767, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

hardwood

1 of 2 noun

hard·​wood ˈhär-ˌdwu̇d 

1

: the wood of a tree (as an oak or maple) producing flowers and having usually broad leaves as compared to the wood of a tree bearing cones and having needlelike leaves compare softwood sense 1

2

: a tree that yields hardwood

hardwood

2 of 2 adjective

1

: having or made of hardwood

2

: consisting of mature woody tissue

a hardwood cutting