Main Entry: beech

Pronunciation: \ˈbēch\

Function: noun

Inflected Form(s): plural beech·es or beech

Etymology: Middle English beche, from Old English bēce; akin to Old English bōc beech, Old High German buohha, Latin fagus, Greek phēgos oak

Date: before 12th century

: any of a genus (Fagus of the family Fagaceae, the beech family) of hardwood trees with smooth gray bark and small edible nuts; also : its wood

— beech·en \ˈbē-chən\ adjective