ponderosa pine

noun

pon·​der·​o·​sa pine ˌpän-də-ˈrō-sə- 

-zə-

: a tall pine (Pinus ponderosa) of western North America with long needles usually in groups of two or three

also : its strong reddish straight-grained wood

Examples of ponderosa pine in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Set against the greens of the ponderosa pines, an array of deciduous trees splash color all along the route. —Roger Naylor, The Arizona Republic, 18 Sep. 2024

Fire behavior has calmed down some since then, helped by rain and ponderosa pines as a fuel source, Forest Service officials said Monday. —Judith Kohler, The Denver Post, 5 Aug. 2024

Other Williams highlights include Pete’s Route 66 Gas Station Museum, the world’s largest ponderosa pine forest, and Bearizona Wildlife Park. —Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 3 Aug. 2024

On the West Coast of the United States, even the inner bark of the ponderosa pine was eaten by Native people in the spring for its carbohydrate-rich cambium layer. —Michael J. Coren, Washington Post, 23 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

New Latin ponderosa, specific epithet of Pinus ponderosa, from Latin, feminine of ponderosus ponderous

First Known Use

1878, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

ponderosa pine

noun

pon·​der·​o·​sa pine ˌpän-də-ˌrō- sə- 

-zə-

: a tall timber pine of western North America with long needles in groups of 2 or 3

also : its strong reddish straight-grained wood