1
: a slit or notch made by a saw or cutting torch
2
: the width of cut made by a saw or cutting torch
Examples of kerf in a Sentence
with a handsaw I made a kerf in the board to mark where I needed to cut
Recent Examples on the Web
Mark the kerf on the end grain of a post.
—
Paul Steiner, Popular Mechanics, 24 Mar. 2023
This reduces bowing and creates a thinner kerf, making pull saws ideal for joints and other fine woodwork.
—Pierre Tardif, WSJ, 3 June 2021
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Paul Steiner, Popular Mechanics, 24 Mar. 2023
This reduces bowing and creates a thinner kerf, making pull saws ideal for joints and other fine woodwork.
—Pierre Tardif, WSJ, 3 June 2021
Cite this Entry
“Kerf.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kerf. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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kerf
noun
: a slit or notch made by a saw or a cutting torch
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