ironwood

noun

iron·​wood ˈī(-ə)rn-ˌwu̇d How to pronounce ironwood (audio)
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 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ironwood.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1657, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of ironwood was in 1657

Dictionary Entries Near ironwood

Cite this Entry

“Ironwood.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ironwood. Accessed 3 Jun. 2023.

Kids Definition

ironwood

noun
iron·​wood -ˌwu̇d How to pronounce ironwood (audio)
1
: any of numerous trees and shrubs with very tough hard wood
2
: the wood of an ironwood

More from Merriam-Webster on ironwood

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