Illustration of live oak
- live oak a
: any of several American evergreen oaks: such as
a
: a medium-sized oak (Quercus virginiana) of southeastern North America often cultivated as a shelter and shade tree and noted for its extremely hard tough durable wood
b
: any of several oaks of the western U.S. with evergreen foliage and hard durable wood
Examples of live oak in a Sentence
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Enormous live oaks shade many of the curving pathways, and sycamores, replanted during the 1990s renovation of the Capitol Complex, line the formal processional walk to the south of the baroque domed structure.
—
Michael Barnes, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
At Deep Spring Farm in Alachua, Florida, visitors can fill their buckets with organic blueberries before settling in for a picnic beneath the shade of a giant live oak.
—Symiah Dorsey, Southern Living, 1 June 2025
The three main ecosystems are the Roanoke Sound estuary, the dunes themselves and the maritime thicket where a variety of shrubs and trees grow—including bayberries, live oaks and pines—and where wildlife finds refuge.
—Amy Brecount White, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 May 2025
Some selections still standing after a major storm within the 20- to 35-foot range include crape myrtles, hollies, redbud, sand live oaks, tree ligustrums and winged elms.
—Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 May 2025
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Michael Barnes, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
At Deep Spring Farm in Alachua, Florida, visitors can fill their buckets with organic blueberries before settling in for a picnic beneath the shade of a giant live oak.
—Symiah Dorsey, Southern Living, 1 June 2025
The three main ecosystems are the Roanoke Sound estuary, the dunes themselves and the maritime thicket where a variety of shrubs and trees grow—including bayberries, live oaks and pines—and where wildlife finds refuge.
—Amy Brecount White, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 May 2025
Some selections still standing after a major storm within the 20- to 35-foot range include crape myrtles, hollies, redbud, sand live oaks, tree ligustrums and winged elms.
—Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 25 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for live oak
Cite this Entry
“Live oak.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/live%20oak. Accessed 15 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
live oak
noun
: any of several American oaks with evergreen leaves and hard durable wood
especially
: one of the southeastern U.S. that is grown for its shelter and shade and formerly much used in building ships
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