red cedar

noun

1

: a common juniper (Juniperus virginiana) chiefly of the eastern U.S. that has dark green closely imbricated scalelike leaves

also : a related tree (J. silicicola) of the southeastern U.S.

2

: western red cedar sense 1

3

: the red or reddish-brown wood of a red cedar

Examples of red cedar in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Crafted from red cedar logs and anchored by a double-height great room with a wall of glass, the home directly overlooks the lake and mountains beyond. —Emma Reynolds, Robb Report, 2 Dec. 2024

The woodsy fragrance has a gentle lavender scent mixed with bergamot, green oak, rosemary, and red cedar. —Shea Simmons, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 Nov. 2024

Helping themselves to the complimentary snacks at the resort’s Tree Houses, which are private cabins built of aromatic red cedar, and perched 2,700-feet over the Dan River Gorge. —Brienne Walsh, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024

It's finished in red cedar with a metal roof and gets power from a standard RV-style hookup. —Adam Williams, New Atlas, 5 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1682, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

red cedar

noun

1

: any of several U.S. evergreen trees that are conifers with scalelike leaves and fragrant red or reddish brown wood

2

: the wood of a red cedar