birch

noun \ ˈbərch \

|Updated on: 24 Jul 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

The Clark’s first video installation features six animations, including one inspired by birch trees on the museum’s campus.

— BostonGlobe.com, "The week ahead: music, theater, art, and more," 13 July 2018
Accordingly, both trees and woodwork play a starring role in its design: A 700-pound cedar pocket door separates the office from the main living area and is textured to look like birch trees.

— nancy keates, WSJ, "A Shoe Executive’s Long-Distance Run to His Oregon Abode," 11 July 2018
The Renovo John Day road bike, built of ash, bubinga, birch and walnut woods, has rave reviews for its smooth ride and stunning looks.

— roy m. wallack, latimes.com, "Summer is calling: Fitness gear to get you outdoors – and moving," 5 July 2018
Some years everything under birch trees is coated with it.

— jeff lowenfels, Anchorage Daily News, "If you have plants outside, you have aphids. Here’s what to do about it.," 5 July 2018
The canoe is a replica of ones made with birch bark by Native Americans who traversed the same waters hundreds of years ago that Lake County residents travel today.

— sheryl devore, Lake County News-Sun, "DNR hosts free events for public to explore Lake Michigan Water Trail," 1 July 2018
There is no Wi-Fi or television at Tree Top, just the rustling of the birch trees and a cacophony of woodpeckers.

— tiffany thornton, USA TODAY, "Geodesic domes bring nature’s beauty indoors," 21 June 2018
According to The Drinks Business, the two-year bourbon is also flavored with raspberry, Canadian snakeroot, fir needles, birch bark and maple syrup.

— lisa gutierrez, kansascity, "Bourbon flavored with beaver butt secretions? It's 'bottoms up' at this NH distillery," 15 June 2018
For starters, heavy hitters started loving maple and birch wood bats.

— aubrey nagle, Philly.com, "Pa. baseball bat country in trouble, 'fair workweek' finds Council allies | Morning Newsletter," 14 June 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

birched; birching; birches

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