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

Often B&Bs are housed in historic homes, which means there’s a story behind every scratch in the hardwood floor or nick on the wall. —Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 5 Jan. 2026

In addition to new carpeting in the bedrooms and hardwood flooring in the living and dining rooms, the home features tile in the kitchen, first floor laundry, and baths. —James Alexander, Hartford Courant, 4 Jan. 2026

Adjective

The dining room, with hardwood floors, a long copper bar, and décor that includes collections of antiques, copper bowls, ceramics and pottery and sturdy wooden tables with room for big plates and wine glasses. —Emily M. Olson, Hartford Courant, 1 Jan. 2026

Green soft wood cuttings should be propagated from trees like mulberry and elderberry in early spring before new growth begins, while semi-hardwood cuttings from citrus trees are taken from new growth that’s starting to turn woody in summer. —Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 1 Jan. 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