live oak

noun

: any of several American evergreen oaks: such as
a
: a medium-sized oak (Quercus virginiana) of southeastern North America often cultivated as a shelter and shade tree and noted for its extremely hard tough durable wood
b
: any of several oaks of the western U.S. with evergreen foliage and hard durable wood

Illustration of live oak

Illustration of live oak
  • live oak a

Examples of live oak in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Take a streetcar on St. Charles Avenue or admire the live oaks in City Park or Audubon Park. Carlie Kollath Wells, Axios, 7 Feb. 2025 The grounds burst with color each spring as azaleas reach their full bloom under the shade of graceful live oaks. Kristy Christiansen, Southern Living, 5 Feb. 2025 Two tall, anemic palm trees and a reaching live oak stood within the narrow, gated front yard, and there were porches on the first and second floors. Ian Frisch, Curbed, 9 Jan. 2025 The disease is often identified in live oaks by yellow and brown veins appearing in the trees' leaves. Ryan Maxin, Austin American-Statesman, 11 Feb. 2024 See all Example Sentences for live oak 

Word History

First Known Use

1610, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of live oak was in 1610

Dictionary Entries Near live oak

Cite this Entry

“Live oak.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/live%20oak. Accessed 19 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

live oak

noun
: any of several American oaks with evergreen leaves and hard durable wood
especially : one of the southeastern U.S. that is grown for its shelter and shade and formerly much used in building ships

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