hardwood

1 of 2

noun

hard·​wood ˈhärd-ˌwu̇d 

1

: the wood of an angiospermous tree as distinguished from that of a coniferous tree

2

: a tree that yields hardwood

3

: a basketball court

hardwood

2 of 2

adjective

1

: having or made of hardwood

hardwood floors

2

: consisting of mature woody tissue

hardwood cuttings

Examples of hardwood in a Sentence

Noun

They used expensive hardwoods for the flooring.

oaks, maples, and other hardwoods

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Instead of carpet—which will need to be replaced frequently—consider installing hardwood, laminate, or vinyl flooring in your kitchen. —Claire Hoppe Norgaard, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 June 2026

Their venue last Friday was The Revere, a sprawling site about five miles out from a national forest known for towering hardwoods and evergreens set against the North Georgia mountains. —Lauren Mascarenhas, CNN Money, 6 June 2026

Adjective

Original millwork, hardwood floors and eight fireplaces The 8,688-square-foot home has nine bedrooms and seven full bathrooms, according to its listing. —Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 6 June 2026

While prospects complete jump-shot circuits and execute standing vertical leaps on the hardwood floor of the arena, a jumbotron above them displays a carrousel of percentages and decimals, a seemingly endless scroll documenting the quality of their performance. —Brady Brickner-Wood, New Yorker, 4 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1686, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1767, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for hardwood

• allgood
• basswood
• beechwood
• bellwood
• birchwood
• boxwood
• boyhood
• brushwood
• childhood
• cordwood
• dogwood
• driftwood

Kids Definition

hardwood

1 of 2 noun

hard·​wood ˈhär-ˌdwu̇d 

1

: the wood of a tree (as an oak or maple) producing flowers and having usually broad leaves as compared to the wood of a tree bearing cones and having needlelike leaves compare softwood sense 1

2

: a tree that yields hardwood

hardwood

2 of 2 adjective

1

: having or made of hardwood

2

: consisting of mature woody tissue

a hardwood cutting