timber

1 a dense growth of trees and shrubs covering a large area <upon our approach the deer disappeared back into the timber from whence it had come> Synonyms forestland, forest, timberland, wood(s), woodlandRelated Words brake, brushwood, chaparral, coppice, copse, covert, grove, scrubland, stand, thicket; greenwood, wildwood; woodlot; arboretum, plantation

2 tree logs as prepared for human use <needed a new load of timber to finish building the house> Synonyms lumber, woodRelated Words beam, brace, pile, post, ridgepole, sill, splint, stake, stave, stick; bar, billet, block; cordwood, firewood

3 the basic elements from which something can be developed <a novel with the timber to become a best seller, if marketed correctly> Synonyms material, raw material, stuff, substance, makingRelated Words possibility, potential, potentiality; matter, metal