lumber

1 of 3

verb (1)

lum·​ber ˈləm-bər 

lumbered; lumbering ˈləm-b(ə-)riŋ 

intransitive verb

1

: to move ponderously

an elephant lumbering along the road

The economy continues to lumber along.

2

: rumble

lumbering machines

lumber

2 of 3

noun

1

: surplus or disused articles (such as furniture) that are stored away

2

a

: timber or logs especially when dressed for use

b

: any of various structural materials prepared in a form similar to lumber

lumber adjective

lumber

3 of 3

verb (2)

lumbered; lumbering ˈləm-b(ə-)riŋ 

transitive verb

1

: to clutter with or as if with lumber : encumber

plan to lumber the tiny town with a giant ski resort

—Marilyn Stasio

2

: to heap together in disorder

3

: to log and saw the timber of

intransitive verb

1

: to cut logs for lumber

2

: to saw logs into lumber for the market

lumberer

ˈləm-bər-ər 

noun

Synonyms

Verb (1)

• shuffle
• stomp
• stumble
• barge
• haul
• slough
• lump

Noun

• wood
• timber

Examples of lumber in a Sentence

Verb (1)

the elephant lumbered through the jungle

the novel's plot lumbers to its predictable conclusion after 500 long pages

the horse-drawn wagon lumbered along the trail

preparations that will lumber the expedition with unnecessary equipment and supplies

Noun

He works for a lumber company.

had a clearout of all his old lumber and finally got rid of it

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

This monster is the precursor to slasher villains like Michael Myers and Jason Voorhees, who lumber along on their killing sprees, though this blueprint is far more sympathetic. —Steven Thrash, Entertainment Weekly, 24 Oct. 2025

The raccoon took the hint, shimmied down the rope and lumbered onto a ladder before making a less-than-graceful landing on the porch below. —Ronnie Li, USA Today, 16 Oct. 2025

Noun

Trump’s 10% tariff lumber imports will add $720 to the cost of an average home, while tariffs on kitchen cabinets and vanities will lift costs by roughly $280, according to research from UBS. —Samantha Delouya, CNN Money, 21 Oct. 2025

Situated at the northeastern tip of Washington’s Olympic Peninsula, Port Townsend was once a renowned port of entry and lumber shipping hub. —Noreen Kompanik, Boston Herald, 19 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb (1)

Middle English lomeren

Noun

perhaps from Lombard; from the use of pawnshops as storehouses of disused property

First Known Use

Verb (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1552, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (2)

1642, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Phrases Containing lumber

• lumber room
• lumber with

Rhymes for lumber

• cumber
• number
• slumber
• umber
• encumber
• outnumber
• renumber

Kids Definition

lumber

1 of 3 verb

lum·​ber ˈləm-bər 

lumbered; lumbering -b(ə-)riŋ 

: to move heavily or clumsily

also : rumble entry 1

lumberingly adverb

lumber

2 of 3 noun

1

: extra or unused household articles (as furniture) that are stored away

2

: timber or logs especially when sawed and trimmed for use

lumber

3 of 3 verb

lumbered; lumbering

-b(ə-)riŋ

1

: clutter entry 1, encumber

2

a

: to cut logs

b

: to saw logs into lumber

lumberer

-bər-ər 

noun

Etymology

Verb

Middle English lomeren "to move heavily or clumsily"

Noun

perhaps derived from the name Lombard, originally associated with bankers and pawnbrokers, and so called from the use of pawnshops for storing unwanted or excess property