greasewood
noun
grease·wood
ˈgrēs-ˌwu̇d 
: a low stiff shrub (Sarcobatus vermiculatus of the family Sarcobataceae) common in alkaline soils in the western U.S.
also
: any of various related or similar shrubs
Examples of greasewood in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Those who live in Loving County full-time — the U.S. mainland’s smallest population, with no more than 169 people stretched across 669 square miles of sand, mesquite and greasewood — credit their relative antiviral success to the landscape and the sparseness of the population.
—
J. David Goodman, New York Times, 17 Nov. 2020
The Odessa operations would sprawl over 1,600 acres on a site known as Shoe Bar Ranch, which was historically a cow-calf operation covered with native pasture, mesquite and greasewood.
—Nicholas Kusnetz, San Antonio Express-News, 6 Aug. 2022
And while its importance began to fade 150 years ago, out here on the barren mesquite and greasewood flats, Horse Head Crossing has never been forgotten.
—John MacCormack, San Antonio Express-News, 6 Nov. 2020
Snow topped Kings Crown Peak and hid in the shade of greasewood bushes and Emery oaks.
—Debra Utacia Krol, azcentral, 15 Jan. 2020
The valley, covered in sagebrush and greasewood, is part of Modoc County, one of California’s poorest, with a median income of about $30,000.
—Washington Post, 6 June 2018
It is believed to have formed naturally, with white sage growing in soil consisting of light gray granite and white quartz that contrasts with the surrounding chaparral and greasewood.
—Mike McPhate, New York Times, 6 Dec. 2016
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
J. David Goodman, New York Times, 17 Nov. 2020
The Odessa operations would sprawl over 1,600 acres on a site known as Shoe Bar Ranch, which was historically a cow-calf operation covered with native pasture, mesquite and greasewood.
—Nicholas Kusnetz, San Antonio Express-News, 6 Aug. 2022
And while its importance began to fade 150 years ago, out here on the barren mesquite and greasewood flats, Horse Head Crossing has never been forgotten.
—John MacCormack, San Antonio Express-News, 6 Nov. 2020
Snow topped Kings Crown Peak and hid in the shade of greasewood bushes and Emery oaks.
—Debra Utacia Krol, azcentral, 15 Jan. 2020
The valley, covered in sagebrush and greasewood, is part of Modoc County, one of California’s poorest, with a median income of about $30,000.
—Washington Post, 6 June 2018
It is believed to have formed naturally, with white sage growing in soil consisting of light gray granite and white quartz that contrasts with the surrounding chaparral and greasewood.
—Mike McPhate, New York Times, 6 Dec. 2016
Dictionary Entries Near greasewood
Cite this Entry
“Greasewood.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/greasewood. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
greasewood
noun
grease·wood
ˈgrē-ˌswu̇d
: a low stiff shrub of the western U.S. that is related to the goosefoots and is common in soils with a high salt content
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share