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

Examples of ironwood in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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At the Los Angeles Arboretum in Arcadia, there is a magnificent example of a Persian ironwood (Parrotia persica) tree. Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 6 Dec. 2025 The ropes under my hands, touched lightly, lightly, felt somewhat frayed and old, and the ironwood slats under my feet seemed occasional. Ryan Knighton, AFAR Media, 31 Oct. 2025 Their teeth are also capable of stripping bark off of trees, making ironwoods and palo verdes even more vulnerable to hungry herds. John Leos, AZCentral.com, 23 Oct. 2025 Among these trees are century-old Japanese maples, ironwood trees, and horse chestnuts that would have otherwise been cut down. Nel-Olivia Waga, Forbes, 10 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for ironwood

Word History

First Known Use

1657, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of ironwood was in 1657

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Cite this Entry

“Ironwood.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ironwood. Accessed 17 Dec. 2025.

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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