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

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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

The finds paint a picture of how the Denisovans who called the cave home made a life in the region’s conifer forests 167,000 to 134,000 years ago, according to two studies published in the journal Nature on Wednesday. — Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 9 Sep. 2026

The only trees to have taken root were those able to survive in high altitudes and cold climates, and so, in among the red, yellow, brown and orange leaves, there were a good proportion of deep-green conifer needles. — Literary Hub, 3 Sep. 2026

The best way to tackle it is on the 27-mile Catalina Highway, a scenic byway that winds up from the desert floor through grasslands and woodlands, before ending in a mixed-conifer forest. — Nicholas Derenzo, Travel + Leisure, 25 Aug. 2026

In its stead, fresh aspen had sprung up all around, crowding the spaces where conifers used to thrive before the triple whammy of fires. — Shi En Kim, AZCentral.com, 24 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

circa 1841, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for conifer

• ionophore

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