conifer

noun

co·​ni·​fer ˈkä-nə-fər 

 also  ˈkō-

: any of an order (Coniferales) of mostly evergreen trees and shrubs having usually needle-shaped or scalelike leaves and including forms (such as pines) with true cones and others (such as yews) with an arillate fruit

coniferous

kō-ˈni-f(ə-)rəs 

kə-

adjective

Did you know?

Any of an order of trees and shrubs, conifers usually have usually needle-shaped or scale-like leaves. Conifers include forms (such as pines) with true cones and others (such as yews) that bear a fruit. There are more than 550 species of conifers, and most are evergreen trees and shrubs. They grow throughout the world (except in Antarctica) and prefer temperate climate zones. They include the world's smallest and tallest trees. Conifers supply softwood timber used for general construction, boxes and crates, and other articles, as well as pulpwood for paper. The wood is also used as fuel and in the manufacture of cellulose products, plywood, and veneers. The trees are the source of resins, oils, turpentine, tars, and pharmaceuticals.

Examples of conifer in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Vascular plants are a large group that include ferns, conifers and flowering plants. —Dino Grandoni, Washington Post, 13 July 2024

Architectural influences Dating back to the 1800s, Pescadero sits at the foot of the Santa Cruz Mountains where conifers and farmland meet the ocean. —David Caraccio, Sacramento Bee, 26 June 2024

Cleared of flammable conifers, the fireguards are designed to stop advancing fires from spreading beyond them. —Norimitsu Onishi, New York Times, 29 May 2024

Check out the General Grant Tree Trail, the General Sherman Tree, and the Big Trees Trail for mellow meanders through ancient conifers. —Emily Pennington, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 May 2023

Word History

Etymology

ultimately from Latin conifer cone-bearing, from conus cone + -fer

First Known Use

circa 1841, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

conifer

noun

con·​i·​fer

ˈkän-ə-fər,

 also  ˈkō-nə-

: any of an order of mostly evergreen trees and shrubs having leaves resembling needles or scales in shape and including forms (as pines) with true cones