hornbeam

noun

horn·​beam ˈhȯrn-ˌbēm 

: any of a genus (Carpinus) of trees of the birch family having smooth gray bark and hard white wood

Examples of hornbeam in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The homeowner can get a rebate on a smaller tree that would provide an intermediate forest layer for wildlife and tolerate shade, such as an American hornbeam or a flowering dogwood. —Bishop Sand, Washington Post, 6 July 2024

American hornbeam and flowering dogwood Evolved to thrive in the dappled shade of the forest understory with a small footprint, the hornbeam handles city heat and compact soil. —Bishop Sand, Washington Post, 6 July 2024

Unique European hornbeams form aisles in the backyard. —Karen A. Avitabile, Hartford Courant, 19 May 2024

The affable, knowledgeable Monty Don is the ringmaster of most of the episodes from his garden in Herefordshire, England, surrounded by hornbeam hedges and earnestly trailed by his beloved dogs, Nell, Ned, and Patti. —Stephen Orr, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Aug. 2023

Word History

Etymology

Middle English hernbem, from hern- (of uncertain meaning and origin) + bem "tree" — more at beam entry 1

Note: The tree name hornbeam is generally taken to be a compound of horn and the etymon represented by Modern English beam entry 1, which in Old English and early Middle English could mean "tree." However, the scant Middle English attestation—a single occurrence of the word in Chancery inquisitions as hernbem, and forms of the Hertfordshire place name Hornbeam Lane (Herinbemegatestret, Hernebemgate)—suggest that horn may have been a folk etymology from an earlier word.

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing hornbeam

• hop hornbeam

Kids Definition

hornbeam

noun

horn·​beam -ˌbēm 

: any of a genus of trees related to the birches and having smooth gray bark and hard white wood