redwood

noun

red·​wood ˈred-ˌwu̇d 

1

: any of various woods (such as brazilwood) yielding a red dye

2

: a tree that yields a red dyewood or produces red or reddish wood

3

a

: a very tall coniferous tree (Sequoia sempervirens) of the cypress family that grows chiefly in coastal California, sometimes reaches a height of 360 feet (110 meters), and is a commercially important timber tree

called also coast redwood

see cone illustration compare dawn redwood

b

: its brownish-red durable wood

Examples of redwood in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Sign up The lot has redwood privacy fencing, trees, and garden beds, and downtown L.A. is 15 minutes' drive. —The Week Staff, theweek, 12 Nov. 2024

My garden is on a fearsome north-facing hill, surrounded by tall trees (the tallest—redwoods), but the back yard gets sun. —Manjula Martin, The New Yorker, 28 Oct. 2024

Most of the majestic trees are now gone but Armstrong Woods State Reserve in Guerneville still offers 805 acres of Sequoia sempervirens, commonly known as coastal redwoods. —Dan Fellner, The Arizona Republic, 19 Sep. 2024

Lignin is found in every land plant, from the tallest redwood to the shortest shrub. —Dino Grandoni, Washington Post, 1 Aug. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1533, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing redwood

• coast redwood
• dawn redwood

Kids Definition

redwood

noun

red·​wood ˈred-ˌwu̇d 

: a tall cone-producing evergreen tree mostly of coastal California that is related to the bald cypresses and sometimes grows to be 360 feet (110 meters) tall

also : its light long-lasting brownish red wood