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

The cedar pollen concentration in spring 2023 reached a 10-year high in some parts of Japan. —Michelle Lee, Washington Post, 4 Apr. 2024

The scent is something similar to an agave and cedar scent, one of the more popular smells for men. —Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 3 Apr. 2024

Straight-grained, hard as iron and termite-proof, Mulanje cedar was highly sought-after for the construction of buildings and bridges. —Mark Jenkins, Smithsonian Magazine, 2 Apr. 2024

In the rural area along the Straits, where birch and cedar trees line single-lane highways and the next bend in the road might offer a glimpse of shimmering blue lake waters stretching to the horizon, the fate of Line 5 is weighing on residents. —Dionne Searcey, New York Times, 27 Mar. 2024

He was charged with stealing a truck and other tools from a cedar mill in Weippe. —Sally Krutzig, Idaho Statesman, 25 Mar. 2024

Chefs use fire, smoke, coals and embers to cook meat, seafood, grains and vegetables in dishes such as cedar plank-roasted branzino, Ora King salmon and burrata, lobster arrabbiata spaghetti, baked tagliolini, roasted mushrooms with white truffle oil, tomahawk and Wagyu steaks and more. —Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Mar. 2024

Available in a range of colors from tweed green to cedar pink, the leggings are conveniently machine washable. —Jessica MacDonald, Travel + Leisure, 22 Mar. 2024

Kuma, who designed the Japan National Stadium (the centerpiece of the 2021 Tokyo Olympics), renovated the imposing 1920s-era, red brick Kyoto Central Telephone Office, while adding an industrial-looking building — sheathed in copper sulfide plating, cedar, glass and concrete — next door. —John Wogan, New York Times, 1 Apr. 2024

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

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