Pacific yew

noun

: a small or medium slow-growing irregularly branched yew (Taxus brevifolia) of the Pacific coast of the U.S. and Canada that yields a fine-grained hardwood and is the source of paclitaxel

Examples of Pacific yew in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Many varieties of yew, including English yew and Pacific yew, cause dangerous symptoms in dogs, such as difficulty breathing, seizures, tremors and even sudden death from heart failure. Amy Deyoung, USA Today, 28 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1890, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Pacific yew was circa 1890

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Cite this Entry

“Pacific yew.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Pacific%20yew. Accessed 4 Jun. 2026.

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