birch

noun \ ˈbərch \

Updated on: 18 Apr 2018

Definition of birch

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

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birch

or birchen play \ˈbər-chən\ adjective

See birch defined for English-language learners

See birch defined for kids

Examples of birch in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples of birch from the Web

According to new research, smoke damage caused a period of stunted growth in pine and birch trees at Kåfjord, located in the northern tip of Norway.

— julissa treviño, Smithsonian, "Norwegian Trees Still Bear Evidence of a World War II German Battleship," 12 Apr. 2018
Wood bats are typically made of maple, ash, and birch.

— jeff barker, baltimoresun.com, "Wood bat or metal? New youth baseball rule tries to settle the debate. But it's expensive.," 6 Apr. 2018
River birches generally develop chlorosis in alkaline soils with a pH higher than 6.5.

— tim johnson, chicagotribune.com, "Lack of chlorophyll may be culprit behind tree's yellow leaves," 3 Apr. 2018
Other high concentrations will come from willow, birch and maple trees.

— jay r. jordan, Houston Chronicle, "Be warned, Houston: Tree pollen will be high this weekend," 9 Mar. 2018
And per Kensington Palace, the chapel and reception will be adorned with flowers and other foliage from The Crown Estate and Windsor Great Park, like beech, birch, white garden roses, peonies (allegedly Markle’s favorite flower), and foxgloves.

— tess kornfeld, Glamour, "Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Announced Their Wedding Florist, and She's Incredible," 1 Apr. 2018
Craddock's team plans to use white garden roses, peonies and foxgloves, as well as branches of beech, birch and hornbeam for the chapel's floral displays.

— sheena mckenzie, CNN, "Harry and Meghan's royal wedding florist opts for white roses and peonies," 1 Apr. 2018
To continue this custom when traditional tobacco use was prohibited, the tribe instead started passing a birch-bark basket of cigarettes among attendees to smoke as a group, so the prayer tradition survived.

— dina fine maron, Scientific American, "The Fight to Keep Tobacco Sacred," 29 Mar. 2018
Or buy some inexpensive birch branches and spray paint them to match the trim on the house or the colors of spring.

— jo ellen meyers sharp, Indianapolis Star, "The Hoosier Gardener: A Goodwill find makes a perfect spring basket," 23 Mar. 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.

Origin and Etymology of birch

Middle English, from Old English beorc; akin to Old High German birka birch, Old English beorht bright, and probably to Latin fraxinus ash tree — more at bright

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

birch

verb

Definition of birch

transitive verb

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

Examples of birch in a Sentence

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