Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
dictionary
thesaurus
view recents

balsam fir

noun
Save Word

Definition of balsam fir

: a resinous North American fir (Abies balsamea) that is widely used for pulpwood and as a Christmas tree and is the source of Canada balsam

Examples of balsam fir in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Several species of evergreen trees are commonly harvested for Christmas trees, including Fraser fir, balsam fir, blue spruce, Scotch pine, and Norway spruce. — Joseph Truini, Popular Mechanics, "Don't Toss That X-Mas Tree: Let's Make Something Instead," 26 Dec. 2020 That might include cutting down a fragrant spruce or balsam fir at a Christmas tree farm. — Sara Miller Llana, The Christian Science Monitor, "Presence, not presents: Finding meaning in a minimalist Christmas," 22 Dec. 2020 Set the mood for pampering by lighting a few Koselig candles, with scrumptious aromas including balsam fir and clove and lavender and spruce. — Nicole Hvidsten, Star Tribune, "Essential Minnesota gift guide: 61 perfect picks while we're all home for the holidays," 27 Nov. 2020 The moose explosion has damaged the park's vegetation, particularly balsam fir, their food of choice during long, snowbound winters. — John Flesher, Detroit Free Press, "Relocated Isle Royale wolves show promising signs, scientists say," 14 Sep. 2020 The researchers have been doing post-harvest work for the past three years, with an eye toward establishing alternative trees that could one day become household names like Douglas or balsam fir. — Sara Miller Llana, The Christian Science Monitor, "Needling question: Can science create a perfect Christmas tree?," 19 Dec. 2019 This project uses selective breeding to improve balsam fir, the species that dominates Christmas tree sales in eastern Canada. — Sara Miller Llana, The Christian Science Monitor, "Needling question: Can science create a perfect Christmas tree?," 19 Dec. 2019 Brule River State Forest, Brule: Evergreens in this forest in Douglas County include white pine, white spruce and balsam fir. — Chelsey Lewis, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Here's how and where you can cut down a Christmas tree in a Wisconsin forest," 27 Nov. 2019 The Walpole High School chorus and treble chorus will perform at the stone stage in the park from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. while the lights on the nearby 10-foot balsam fir are switched on. — BostonGlobe.com, "Visitors can get into the holiday spirit by sipping hot chocolate and listening to music at Bird Park’s tree lighting ceremony in Walpole on Dec. 6.," 20 Nov. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'balsam fir.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

See More

First Known Use of balsam fir

1805, in the meaning defined above

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about balsam fir

Time Traveler for balsam fir

Time Traveler

The first known use of balsam fir was in 1805

See more words from the same year

Statistics for balsam fir

Last Updated

12 Jan 2021

Cite this Entry

“Balsam fir.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/balsam%20fir. Accessed 18 Jan. 2021.

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for balsam fir

balsam fir

noun

English Language Learners Definition of balsam fir

: a small American evergreen tree

See the full definition for balsam fir in the English Language Learners Dictionary

balsam fir

noun

Medical Definition of balsam fir

: a resinous American evergreen tree (Abies balsamea) that is widely used for pulpwood and as a Christmas tree and that is the source of Canada balsam

More from Merriam-Webster on balsam fir

Nglish: Translation of balsam fir for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about balsam fir

Comments on balsam fir

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

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

preeminent

Listen to the pronunciation of preeminent

See Definitions and Examples »

Test Your Vocabulary

Words of Snow and Ice Quiz

  • image1037863653
  • Which of the following refers to thin, bending ice, or to the act of running over such ice?
True or False

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Typeshift

Anagram puzzles meet word search.

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