fir

noun

ˈfər 

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

Examples of fir in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The 3-point contest will be the firs competition on All-Star Saturday this coming Saturday in Los Angeles, followed by the Shooting Stars contest and then the dunk contest. —Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 8 Feb. 2026

There are plenty of picnic spots on the bluffs to soak up the scenic surroundings and even a mixed fir and redwood forest within the property's bounds. —Chelsee Lowe, Travel + Leisure, 28 Jan. 2026

Spruces and firs don’t have this arrangement, plus the needles tend to be much shorter than pines. —Sheryl Devore, Chicago Tribune, 21 Jan. 2026

Christine Mutchler, 70, Kathy Pickard, 76, and Kathy Todd, 74, were hiking to Lena Lake on Thursday when part of a dead fir tree broke and fell onto the trail, Todd told the Kitsap Sun. —Stephen Sorace, FOXNews.com, 21 Jan. 2026

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

Phrases Containing fir

• balsam fir
• Douglas fir
• Fraser fir
• grand fir
• silver fir
• subalpine fir
• white fir

Rhymes for fir

• birr
• blur
• bur
• cur
• er
• fur
• furr
• gurr
• her
• murr
• myrrh
• per

Kids Definition

fir

noun

ˈfər 

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

ˈfər 

: any tree of the genus Abies see balsam fir