redwood

noun

red·​wood ˈred-ˌwu̇d 

1

: any of various woods (such as brazilwood) yielding a red dye

2

: a tree that yields a red dyewood or produces red or reddish wood

3

a

: a very tall coniferous tree (Sequoia sempervirens) of the cypress family that grows chiefly in coastal California, sometimes reaches a height of 360 feet (110 meters), and is a commercially important timber tree

called also coast redwood

see cone illustration compare dawn redwood

b

: its brownish-red durable wood

Examples of redwood in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

For example, cedar and redwood create a stunning visual appeal with their warm red and orange tones. —Tessa Cooper, The Spruce, 13 May 2026

That mismatch is killing some of the planet’s most vital ecosystems, including California’s towering redwoods and the seagrass meadows along its coast, both of which store vast amounts of carbon and support complex webs of life. —Annika Hammerschlag, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2026

It was then replaced in 1912 with the current lodge, built with cedar logs from Idaho and redwood timbers from California, and featuring modern conveniences like plumbing and electricity. —Rachel Chang, Travel + Leisure, 11 May 2026

This is a particularly lovely area to visit in spring, when redwoods dapple the newly green hillsides, and wildflowers peep in preserves like the Edge of Appalachia. —Erika Ebsworth-Goold, Midwest Living, 6 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1533, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing redwood

• coast redwood
• dawn redwood

Rhymes for redwood

• allgood
• basswood
• beechwood
• bellwood
• birchwood
• boxwood
• boyhood
• brushwood
• childhood
• cordwood
• dogwood
• driftwood

Kids Definition

redwood

noun

red·​wood ˈred-ˌwu̇d 

: a tall cone-producing evergreen tree mostly of coastal California that is related to the bald cypresses and sometimes grows to be 360 feet (110 meters) tall

also : its light long-lasting brownish red wood