1
: any of a genus (Abies) of north temperate evergreen trees of the pine family that have flattish leaves, circular leaf scars, and erect female cones and are valued for their wood
also : any of various conifers (such as the Douglas fir) of other genera
2
: the wood of a fir

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web The office was in a small house, brick, with stiff fir trees on either side of the door and a flower box under the window. Mary Gaitskill, The New Yorker, 20 Mar. 2023 Sugarpine Roadhouse was to feature an outdoor grill, a sprawling beer garden and tables surrounded by towering fir trees alongside the Sandy River. oregonlive, 9 Feb. 2023 Ominous swaths of red dot Oregon’s green expanses where the fir trees have died. Gabrielle Canon, WIRED, 24 Dec. 2022 Victoria added the fir tree to family celebrations five years later. Troy Bickham, Chron, 24 Dec. 2022 Victoria added the fir tree to family celebrations five years later. Troy Bickham, The Conversation, 15 Dec. 2022 In the clearing, Addy spotted a cardboard contraption, criss-crossed with tape, pressed up against a fir tree. Greg Borowski, jsonline.com, 15 Dec. 2022 The look of a fir tree with soft amber lights crisscrossing through its dark green needles is quintessentially Christmas. Frederick Tippett, Sunset Magazine, 9 Dec. 2022 Opt for garland that features a mix of fir tree branches and lights for an attractive look. Helena Madden, ELLE Decor, 6 Dec. 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'fir.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English fyrh; akin to Old High German forha fir, Latin quercus oak

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of fir was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near fir

Cite this Entry

“Fir.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fir. Accessed 24 Mar. 2023.

Kids Definition

fir

noun
1
: any of various usually large evergreen trees related to the pines some of which yield useful lumber or resins
2
: the wood of a fir

Medical Definition

fir

noun
: any tree of the genus Abies see balsam fir

More from Merriam-Webster on fir

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