ironwood

noun

iron·​wood ˈī(-ə)rn-ˌwu̇d 

1

: any of numerous trees and shrubs (such as a hornbeam or hop hornbeam) with exceptionally tough or hard wood

2

: the wood of an ironwood

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web

Indonesian teak is used for Vela’s decking, ironwood for the hull, while the traditional twin masts are made from carbon. —Julia Zaltzman, Robb Report, 5 May 2023

Shitakes need to be grown on a hardwood like oak, ironwood or sugar maple. —Joanne Kempinger Demski, Journal Sentinel, 13 Apr. 2023

An ironwood tree, called kaasan in Tamil, is of particular medicinal value. —Mahima Jain, WIRED, 18 Mar. 2023

Trees like desert ironwood are a good choice. —Amaris Encinas, The Arizona Republic, 23 June 2022

These aren’t simply ornate maps: Maria Josette Orsto’s diptych Miyinga jilamara (2008), for instance, uses the pwoja—an ironwood comb—to create rhythmic dots referencing ritual body scarification, and the result is fresh and bold. —Mark C. O'flaherty, Robb Report, 25 Mar. 2023

Sathyamurthy offers a quick prayer at the temple, then leads me into a dense thicket of ironwood, ebony, and axlewood. —Mahima Jain, WIRED, 18 Mar. 2023

Absorb fascinating facts about our tall, oxygen-giving friends with arborist Alison Lancaster, who’ll share her ample knowledge of sycamores, Torrey pines, palo verde, Santa Cruz Island ironwood, and of course, our ever-present oaks. —Los Angeles Times, 26 Jan. 2023

They're modeled after traditional Balinese balé pavilions, with breezy living spaces and decks from reclaimed ironwood. —Chris Schalkx, Vogue, 21 June 2022

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Word History

First Known Use

1657, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

ironwood

noun

iron·​wood -ˌwu̇d 

1

: any of numerous trees and shrubs with very tough hard wood

2

: the wood of an ironwood