birch

play

noun \ ˈbərch \

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

The cabin sits among birch and white spruce on the lakefront with 5,000-foot mountains looming in the background.

— mike campbell, Alaska Dispatch News, "Lake Clark National Park’s only public-use cabin is a gem," 24 Aug. 2017
Targeting 12 types of trees — including the ash as well as elms, birch, poplars and maples, their favorite — the beetle could wipe out more than 20 percent of Indianapolis' trees, according to experts.

— sarah bowman, Indianapolis Star, "Thought the emerald ash borer was bad? Meet this lurking menace," 17 Aug. 2017
It’s hand-built by a team of six in Tonke’s workshop in the Netherlands, constructed with birch furniture, teak flooring, porcelain sinks, and a polished wood exterior.

— duncan brady, Car and Driver, "Tonke’s Sweet Campers Bring New Meaning to the Term “Land Yacht”," 19 July 2017
Our favorite, Greylocke, contains birch, salt, and pine resin.

— liana schaffner, Allure, "The American Perfumers Modern Approach to Fragrance," 11 July 2017
Holiday season is Christmas Tree (white pine and birch).

— georgea kovanis, Detroit Free Press, "Gee, your office smells terrific," 8 July 2017
Most are maple and ash, and about 5 percent are birch.

— marc bona, cleveland.com, "Louisville Slugger mobile museum visiting Progressive Field (video, photos)," 8 July 2017
Visits to a birch syrup maker, an oyster farm and the famous cooking school at Tutka Bay Lodge are interspersed with wilderness adventures including dog sledding on a glacier and wildlife watching.

— star-telegram, star-telegram.com, "Where Cool is Hot: Cool destinations are the hottest trend this summer," 5 July 2017
The shore of Skilak Lake in that area is rugged, with a dense forest of spruce, birch and tangled alder brush.

— Alaska Dispatch News, "Deadly winds of Skilak Lake: A family struggles to survive," 1 July 2017

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

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