lumber

¹lum·ber

intransitive verb \ˈləm-bər\

lum·beredlum·ber·ing \-b(ə-)riŋ\

Definition of LUMBER

1

: to move ponderously

2

: rumble

Origin of LUMBER

Middle English lomeren

First Known Use: 14th century

Rhymes with LUMBER

cumber, Humber, lumbar, number, slumber, umber

²lumber

noun

Definition of LUMBER

1

: surplus or disused articles (as furniture) that are stored away

2

a : timber or logs especially when dressed for use

b : any of various structural materials prepared in a form similar to lumber

— lumber adjective

Examples of LUMBER

1. He works for a lumber company.
2. had a clearout of all his old lumber and finally got rid of it

Origin of LUMBER

perhaps from Lombard; from the use of pawnshops as storehouses of disused property

First Known Use: 1552

Related to LUMBER

Synonyms

wood, timber

Related Words

beam, brace, pile, post, ridgepole, sill, splint, stake, stave, stick; bar, billet, block; cordwood, firewood

Other Wood Production Terms

cord, punk

³lumber

verb

lum·beredlum·ber·ing \-b(ə-)riŋ\

Definition of LUMBER

transitive verb

1

: to clutter with or as if with lumber : encumber <plan to lumber the tiny town with a giant ski resort — Marilyn Stasio>

2

: to heap together in disorder

3

: to log and saw the timber of

intransitive verb

1

: to cut logs for lumber

2

: to saw logs into lumber for the market

— lum·ber·er \-bər-ər\ noun

First Known Use of LUMBER

1642

lumber

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Collective term for harvested wood, whether cut into logs, heavy timbers, or members used in light-frame construction. Lumber is classified as hardwood or softwood (see wood). The term often refers specifically to the products derived from logs in a sawmill. Conversion of logs to sawed lumber involves debarking, sawing into boards or slabs, resawing into thinner boards of varying sizes, edging, crosscutting to square the ends and remove defects, grading according to strength and appearance, and drying in the open air or in kilns. Drying below the fiber-saturation point results in shrinkage and generally greater strength, stiffness, and density and better prepares the wood for finishing. Preservatives are often applied to protect the wood from deterioration and decay.