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

The home features exposed beams throughout along with wide-plank hardwood floors and water views in nearly every room. — Kaitlyn Keegan, Hartford Courant, 1 Aug. 2026

Bauman often hears a question as people look around at some of the hardwood in the building. — Nick Friedell, New York Times, 31 July 2026

Adjective

Grand Victorians, generous prewars, scalloped trims, curved passageways, impossibly high ceilings, and hardwood floors for days. — Nora Deligter, Curbed, 24 July 2026

Before flowering, trim one 24-inch semi-hardwood cutting with multiple leaf nodes to promote new growth. — Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 17 July 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