heartwood

noun

heart·​wood ˈhärt-ˌwu̇d How to pronounce heartwood (audio)
: the older harder nonliving central wood of trees that is usually darker, denser, less permeable, and more durable than the surrounding sapwood

Examples of heartwood in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The aerie is decked out with soaring 18-foot ceilings, reclaimed heartwood pine floors, and walls of floor-to-ceiling windows that flood the space with natural light. Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 16 May 2025 These termites invade the roots and then eat their way into the tree’s dead heartwood, which can contain lower amounts of these chemicals, Šobotník says. Katarina Zimmer, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 Feb. 2025 The Trunk Like a tree's heartwood, your inner core builds through years of proper self-care and experience. Jennifer Kamara, Forbes, 26 Dec. 2024 When wood will be near soil, such as posts, retaining walls, or planter boxes, opt for the more durable heartwood grades, such as Heart Clear, Heart B, or Construction Heart. Sunset Magazine, 20 May 2024 See All Example Sentences for heartwood

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1575, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of heartwood was circa 1575

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Cite this Entry

“Heartwood.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/heartwood. Accessed 29 May. 2025.

Kids Definition

heartwood

noun
heart·​wood -ˌwu̇d How to pronounce heartwood (audio)
: the older harder nonliving and usually darker wood of the central part of a tree trunk compare sapwood

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