Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

African blackwood

noun

Definition of African blackwood

: a tropical African tree (Dalbergia melanoxylon) with hard purple wood used especially in the manufacture of musical instruments

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

First Known Use of African blackwood

1843, in the meaning defined above

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about African blackwood

Statistics for African blackwood

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for African blackwood

The first known use of African blackwood was in 1843

See more words from the same year

Comments on African blackwood

What made you want to look up African blackwood? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

speculate

Listen to the pronounciation of speculate

to form ideas or theories about something

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Farm Idioms Quiz

  • cow coming home
  • What does 'poke' refer to in the expression 'pig in a poke'?
Name That Thing

Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!

TAKE THE QUIZ
SCRABBLE® Sprint

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games