red oak

noun

1
: any of various North American oaks (such as Quercus rubra and Quercus falcata) that have acorns with the inner surface of the shell lined with woolly hairs, the acorn cap covered with thin scales, and leaf veins that usually run beyond the margin of the leaf to form bristles
2
: the wood of a red oak

Examples of red oak in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Why is the bark splitting on the trunk of my red oak? Neil Sperry, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 June 2024 The boats are constructed from different kinds of trees—elm, ash, white oak, cottonwood and red oak—reflecting changing environmental conditions. Julia Binswanger, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 June 2024 Instead, concentrate on red oaks, which frequently throw a bigger crop that can last through winter and into the following spring. Scott Bestul, Field & Stream, 4 Jan. 2024 Four species are native to this northern region: eastern white pine, northern red oak, bur oak and red maple. Smithsonian Magazine, 15 Mar. 2024 For a more rustic space, try red oak, cherry, or walnut wood that have a warmer tone which lends itself well to a more traditional aesthetic. Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Dec. 2023 The home has french doors, six working fireplaces and new hand-hewn, red oak beamed ceilings. Sarah Paynter, WSJ, 28 Jan. 2022 Clad in wood inside and out, the restaurant, which specializes in steaks grilled over local red oak, is open Thursday through Sunday, and offers tight seating inside, as well as in the adjacent old mail sorting room and tables scattered among the trees on the large, rural property. Eric A. Taub, New York Times, 30 Oct. 2023 Storey and Holmes began to introduce red oak as an accent material, though the effect is still monochromatic. Marissa Gluck, Los Angeles Times, 20 Nov. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'red oak.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1634, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of red oak was in 1634

Dictionary Entries Near red oak

Cite this Entry

“Red oak.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/red%20oak. Accessed 15 Jun. 2024.

Kids Definition

red oak

noun
1
: any of various North American oaks with acorns that take two years to mature and leaves with bristles on the edge
2
: the wood of a red oak

More from Merriam-Webster on red oak

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!