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

The leaves on the birch tell the Alaskan gardener (and any other who happens to learn our trick) that there won't be any more frosts for a while. — Jeff Lowenfels, Anchorage Daily News, "Resist the temptation to rake your lawn right now — you’ll be thankful later," 27 Apr. 2018 The result was exquisitely made pieces that were as celebrated as much for their quality as for their simplified, modern forms — think Hans Wegner’s Wishbone Chair or Alvar Aalto’s gently curving birch-and-beech wood chair. — Hillary Brown, House Beautiful, "Everything You Need To Know About Mid-Century Modern Design," 13 Sep. 2018 Adventurous types have made syrup from spruce, birch, and walnut, but no guarantees on taste. — James Lynch, Popular Mechanics, "How to Make Maple Syrup," 5 Nov. 2018 Some seeds, like those of birches, waft on the wind; others, like the pigeon pea, are floaters that drift, raftlike, to other continents. — Erin Blakemore, Washington Post, "These seeds will captivate you whether you’re a gardener or not," 22 Apr. 2018 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

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.