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

Then there are the 32 elegant and elemental guest rooms, ranging from single suites to an expansive, two-bedroom retreat, all light and airy with earth tones, hardwood floors, and handmade Oaxacan textiles. —Michaela Trimble, Vogue, 13 July 2025

That said, in my other three pickup tests (rice on carpet, rice on hardwood, and sand on hardwood), the two models posted comparable scores. —PC Magazine, 9 July 2025

Adjective

The hardwood floors in my classroom, and many of the other classrooms, still have scars from the years when desks were bolted to the floors. —Sally Ventura june 23, Literary Hub, 23 June 2025

From the original hardwood floors to the original tin ceiling, the building itself is a work of art. —Megan Cartwright, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 June 2025

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