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

Enter a two-story foyer, polished hardwood floors and a striking staircase. —Mike Klingaman, Baltimore Sun, 30 Apr. 2025

The house has its original hardwood floors, and stairs with the original wood banister run up to the second floor. —Angela Serratore, New York Times, 30 Apr. 2025

Adjective

Between Beasley, Tim Hardaway Jr. — who knows his way around the Madison Square Garden’s hardwood floors — and Tobias Harris, the Pistons will have floor-spacers out at all times. —Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 18 Apr. 2025

Both bedrooms are really large, there’s a gas-burning fireplace in the living room (also really large), a dining room, windows in every room including both bathrooms, and historic details like picture moldings, hardwood floors with walnut inlays, and original bathroom tile. —Kim Velsey, Curbed, 15 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1686, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1767, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for hardwood

• allgood
• basswood
• beechwood
• bellwood
• birchwood
• boxwood
• boyhood
• brushwood
• childhood
• cordwood
• dogwood
• driftwood

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