cedar

noun

ce·​dar ˈsē-dər 

1

a

: any of a genus (Cedrus) of usually tall coniferous trees (such as the cedar of Lebanon or the deodar) of the pine family noted for their fragrant durable wood

b

: any of numerous coniferous trees (as of the genera Juniperus, Chamaecyparis, or Thuja of the cypress family) that resemble the true cedars especially in the fragrance and durability of their wood

2

: the wood of a cedar

cedary

ˈsē-dər-ē 

-də-rē

adjective

Examples of cedar in a Sentence

a chair made of cedar

Recent Examples on the Web

There is anecdotal evidence that some pests are repelled by shredded cedar bark because of the aromatic oils in cedar. —Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 13 Aug. 2025

From $274 per night. Perks: 10-min drive to the park, wood fire fireplace, cedar hot tub, pool, sauna Southwestern boho style is perfectly encapsulated at Masaya Desert Ranch, an adobe-style casita set on seven sprawling acres along the foothills of Joshua Tree National Park. —Jessica Cherner, Architectural Digest, 13 Aug. 2025

Surrounded by lush grasses and wildflowers, all 49 cabins are constructed of cedar and white pine, featuring radiant floor heating and whitewashed interiors. —Ginger Perra, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Aug. 2025

There, they are exposed to authentic historical artifacts like the pen that lifted the ban on offshore drilling and the leather work gloves used to help clear invasive cedar from Bush’s ranch. —Genevieve Koski, Vulture, 4 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English cedre, from Anglo-French, from Latin cedrus, from Greek kedros

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing cedar

• Atlantic white cedar
• cedar-apple rust
• cedar of Lebanon
• cedar waxwing
• incense cedar
• Japanese cedar
• northern white cedar
• red cedar
• salt cedar
• western red cedar
• white cedar

Rhymes for cedar

• bleeder
• breeder
• feeder
• leader
• lieder
• meader
• pleader
• reader
• reeder
• seeder
• weeder
• cheerleader

Kids Definition

cedar

noun

ce·​dar ˈsēd-ər 

1

a

: any of a genus of usually tall trees related to the pines and noted for their fragrant durable wood

b

: any of numerous cone-bearing trees (as some junipers) resembling the true cedars especially in having fragrant long-lasting wood

2

: the wood of a cedar

Geographical Definition

Cedar

geographical name

Ce·​dar ˈsē-dər 

river 329 miles (529 kilometers) long in southeastern Minnesota and eastern Iowa flowing southeast into the Iowa River