bristlecone pine

noun

bris·​tle·​cone pine ˈbri-səl-ˌkōn- 

: any of three pines (Pinus aristata, P. balfouriana, and P. longaeva) of the western U.S. that include the oldest living trees

called also bristlecone

Illustration of bristlecone pine

Examples of bristlecone pine in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Next would be Methuselah, a bristlecone pine (Pinus longaeva) in the White Mountains above Death Valley at 4,800 years old followed by The President, a redwood (Sequoiadendron giganteum) in the Sierras that has lived for 3,200 years. — Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 27 Dec. 2025

In addition to the ancient bristlecone pines, there is unique wildlife here, including bighorn sheep, endangered trout, marmots, and a tiny rodent known as a pika. — Ernie Cowan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Aug. 2025

The four-mile trail passes through groves of Great Basin bristlecone pines, with trunks weathered by centuries of snow and sun. — Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 11 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1893, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for bristlecone pine

• aminophylline
• azathioprine
• cholestyramine
• cryptocrystalline
• hydroxyproline
• intercrystalline
• microcrystalline
• monocrystalline
• nanocrystalline
• neuroendocrine
• phthalocyanine
• polycrystalline

Kids Definition

bristlecone pine

noun

bris·​tle·​cone pine ˌbris-əl-ˌkōn- 

: either of two pines of the western U.S. that include the oldest living trees