boxwood

noun

box·​wood ˈbäks-ˌwu̇d 

1

: the close-grained heavy hard tough wood of the box (genus Buxus)

also : a wood of similar properties

2

: a tree producing boxwood

Examples of boxwood in a Sentence

We planted a few boxwoods.

Recent Examples on the Web

Plants that cause deer to steer clear include boxwood, marigolds, and ornamental onions. — Barbara Gillette, The Spruce, 9 Sep. 2026

Most recently, Martha’s pruning expert Phurba Sherpa meticulously trimmed the boxwood border along both sides of her clematis pergola. — Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 9 Sep. 2026

The walls are cedar, the roofline is gabled, and boxwood hedges fence off terraces, putting it on a shortlist of quaint homes planted atop conventional New York buildings. — Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 8 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1601, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for boxwood

• allgood
• basswood
• beechwood
• bellwood
• birchwood
• boyhood
• brushwood
• childhood
• cordwood
• dogwood
• driftwood
• falsehood

Kids Definition

boxwood

noun

box·​wood ˈbäk-ˌswu̇d 

: the tough hard wood of the box

also : the box tree