cedar

noun

ce·​dar ˈsē-dər 

1

a

: any of a genus (Cedrus) of usually tall coniferous trees (such as the cedar of Lebanon or the deodar) of the pine family noted for their fragrant durable wood

b

: any of numerous coniferous trees (as of the genera Juniperus, Chamaecyparis, or Thuja of the cypress family) that resemble the true cedars especially in the fragrance and durability of their wood

2

: the wood of a cedar

cedary

ˈsē-dər-ē 

-də-rē

adjective

Examples of cedar in a Sentence

a chair made of cedar

Recent Examples on the Web

This clean, woody scent captures the essence of pine needles, sap, holly, cedar wood, and frosted balsam. —Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Oct. 2025

Use natural repellents like rosemary, thyme, cedar, lavender, or peppermint oil applied to sachets or wood blocks to deter pantry moths. —Lauren Wicks, Southern Living, 28 Oct. 2025

Generations of Colma families still serving the dead The sun rose over the nearby San Bruno Mountains on a recent day, lighting misty cemeteries dotted with cedar and palm trees. —Chris Kenning, USA Today, 25 Oct. 2025

The park sits about 5,000 feet above sea level, and towering pine, fir and cedar trees line its trails and roads. —Maura Fox, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English cedre, from Anglo-French, from Latin cedrus, from Greek kedros

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing cedar

• Atlantic white cedar
• cedar-apple rust
• cedar of Lebanon
• cedar waxwing
• incense cedar
• Japanese cedar
• northern white cedar
• red cedar
• salt cedar
• western red cedar
• white cedar

Rhymes for cedar

• bleeder
• breeder
• feeder
• leader
• lieder
• meader
• pleader
• reader
• reeder
• seeder
• weeder
• cheerleader

Kids Definition

cedar

noun

ce·​dar ˈsēd-ər 

1

a

: any of a genus of usually tall trees related to the pines and noted for their fragrant durable wood

b

: any of numerous cone-bearing trees (as some junipers) resembling the true cedars especially in having fragrant long-lasting wood

2

: the wood of a cedar

Geographical Definition

Cedar

geographical name

Ce·​dar ˈsē-dər 

river 329 miles (529 kilometers) long in southeastern Minnesota and eastern Iowa flowing southeast into the Iowa River