deadwood

noun

dead·​wood ˈded-ˌwu̇d How to pronounce deadwood (audio)
1
: wood dead on the tree
2
: useless personnel or material
3
: solid timbers built in at the extreme bow and stern of a ship when too narrow to permit framing
4
: bowling pins that have been knocked down but remain on the alley

Examples of deadwood in a Sentence

She's determined to get the deadwood out of the company. a healthy tree with no deadwood
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Forest fires clear away deadwood to promote new growth; decisive defeat in war creates space for societal transformations. Todd Pittinsky, New York Daily News, 23 Mar. 2024 The genus is known to feed on deadwood, dead leaves, leaf litter or lichens, according to Hoare. Rina Diane Caballar, Discover Magazine, 12 Nov. 2023 Only the White has the right balance of water, sediment, sandbars with backwaters, sheltering cottonwood forests and pool-forming deadwood to sustain themselves without hatchery help. Brandon Loomis, The Arizona Republic, 30 June 2023 If your maple is in poor health, make minimal cuts or limit yourself to deadwood removal. oregonlive, 25 June 2023 See all Example Sentences for deadwood 

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of deadwood was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near deadwood

Cite this Entry

“Deadwood.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deadwood. Accessed 14 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

deadwood

noun
dead·​wood -ˌwu̇d How to pronounce deadwood (audio)
1
: wood that is dead on a tree
2
: useless material or unproductive persons

Geographical Definition

Deadwood

geographical name

Dead·​wood ˈded-ˌwu̇d How to pronounce Deadwood (audio)
city in the Black Hills of western South Dakota that was settled circa 1876 following the discovery of gold nearby population 1270

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