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

The 1,139-acre park became a state park in 1955 and was named after the eastern red cedar trees found throughout the area. —Diana Leyva, The Tennessean, 18 June 2024

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

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