driftwood

noun

drift·​wood ˈdrift-ˌwu̇d How to pronounce driftwood (audio)
1
: wood drifted or floated by water
2

Examples of driftwood in a Sentence

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.
Floating on a piece of driftwood, the prince is an easy target for the Triarchy’s arrows. Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 22 June 2026 Coastal spaces favor salt, driftwood and light citrus. Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 June 2026 Yes, you’re absolutely allowed to have small fires on the beach on the Oregon Coast as long as they’re built at least 50 feet away from beach grass and driftwood and are kept smaller than two feet. Molly Allen, Travel + Leisure, 21 June 2026 Then, at dusk later that night, the two sisters both saw a dark upright figure on the beach at Whitefish Lighthouse near a large pile of driftwood by the shore. Sean Joseph Outkick, FOXNews.com, 8 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for driftwood

Word History

First Known Use

1633, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of driftwood was in 1633

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Cite this Entry

“Driftwood.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/driftwood. Accessed 25 Jun. 2026.

Kids Definition

driftwood

noun
drift·​wood ˈdrift-ˌwu̇d How to pronounce driftwood (audio)
: wood drifted or floated by water

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