birch

noun

\ˈbərch

Definition of birch

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : any of a genus (Betula of the family Betulaceae, the birch family) of monoecious deciduous trees or shrubs having simple petioled leaves and typically a layered membranous outer bark that peels readily

2 : the hard pale close-grained wood of a birch

3 : a birch rod or bundle of twigs for flogging

birch

verb

birched; birching; birches

Definition of birch (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

: to beat with or as if with a birch : whip

Other Words from birch Synonyms Example Sentences Learn More about birch

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Examples of birch in a Sentence

Noun

a cabinet made of birch In those days, schoolchildren got the birch when they misbehaved.

Verb

students at the private school were once routinely birched for violating the rules always a stern disciplinarian, our father birched anyone who talked back

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

At Midnight Rambler, for instance, a drink with a rich genealogy involving the maple and birch sugaring traditions of the Ojibwe tribe, is reduced to a list of ingredients: Texas Rye Whiskey, Pippali Birch, Maple, Angostura. — Elizabeth G. Dunn, WSJ, "My Cocktail’s Smarter Than Yours: A Guide to the World’s Brainiest Bar Menus," 12 July 2018 The drawers are made of birch plywood commonly used in the 1970s, instead of the solid wood typical today. — Katerina Ang, WSJ, "The Return of the Luxurious Retro Kitchen," 12 Sep. 2018 Harry and Meghan used florist Philippa Craddock to design their wedding flowers, and the couple included white garden roses, foxgloves, and peonies, along with branches of beech, birch, and hornbeam in their arrangements. — Maggie Maloney, Town & Country, "What Flowers Will Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank Have At Their Wedding?," 12 July 2018 Prune maples and birches in summer and pines in winter. — Dan Gill, NOLA.com, "How to properly prune a tree," 13 Jan. 2018 Here, the company’s mines sink into the earth amid a wilderness of birches and snow, sparkling and pristine. — Andrew E. Kramer, New York Times, "A Diamond Giant Plays Up Its Russian Ties to Appeal to Americans," 11 July 2018 While the lawn and paving for an 800-person-capacity natural amphitheater are still being installed, the plastic has been removed from wooden seating, and a small cluster of birches looks at home amid a circle of low stone pavers. — John King, SFChronicle.com, "S.F.’s long-awaited Salesforce Transit Center sets opening date for Aug. 12," 10 July 2018 An integrated Baltic birch banquette and custom dining table provide ample seating and circulation space. — Marni Elyse Katz, BostonGlobe.com, "Sisters build a relaxed summer retreat in coastal Maine," 15 June 2018 The interior boasts concrete stairs, birch plywood walls, and neutral toned furniture. — Liz Stinson, Curbed, "Prefab modern lake house is powered by the sun," 5 July 2018

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