beech

noun

ˈbēch 

plural beeches or beech

: any of a genus (Fagus of the family Fagaceae, the beech family) of hardwood trees with smooth gray bark and small edible nuts

also : its wood

beechen

ˈbē-chən 

adjective

Examples of beech in a Sentence

a box made of beech

Recent Examples on the Web

There is just one negative Salge sees in his crystal ball, and that is the ongoing beech leaf disease that's been rapidly spreading through our forests. — Eric Fisher, CBS News, 20 Aug. 2026

Chichibu sits in a basin with peaks on every side, bathed in the deep green of maple and Japanese beech trees on a wet summer morning. — Christopher Elliott, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2026

In Ohio, greenbrier fruits and leaves and aspen were followed by dogwood, grape, sumac, beech buds and fruits, and witch hazel. — Tom Huggler, Outdoor Life, 13 Aug. 2026

Along the journey, hikers are treated to dramatic views of Europe’s most popular natural landscapes, including the Black Forest and beech forests along the Baltic Sea. — Michael Cappetta, Travel + Leisure, 4 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English beche, from Old English bēce; akin to Old English bōc beech, Old High German buohha, Latin fagus, Greek phēgos oak

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing beech

• copper beech

Rhymes for beech

• beach
• bleach
• breach
• breech
• each
• keech
• leach
• leech
• meech
• peach
• preach
• reach

Kids Definition

beech

noun

ˈbēch 

plural beeches or beech

: any of a genus of trees with smooth gray bark and small edible nuts

also : its wood

beechen

ˈbē-chən 

adjective