pine

noun, often attributive \ ˈpīn \

Updated on: 8 Apr 2018

Definition of pine

1 : any of a genus (Pinus of the family Pinaceae, the pine family) of coniferous evergreen trees that have slender elongated needles and include some valuable timber trees and ornamentals

2 : the straight-grained white or yellow usually durable and resinous wood of a pine varying from extreme softness in the white pine to hardness in the longleaf pine

3 : any of various Australian coniferous trees (as of the genera Callitris or Araucaria)

4 : pineapple

5 : bench 1c

—

piney

or less commonly piny play \ˈpī-nē\ adjective

See pine defined for English-language learners

Recent Examples of pine from the Web

In the case of the Anapamu pines, Downey’s supplies still couldn’t cover the cost.

— leslie nemo, Curbed, "In Santa Barbara, severe drought is forcing residents to rethink landscape tradition," 30 Mar. 2018
The eucalyptus and pine trees range in height between 10 and 15 feet for the 10 smaller ones and 20 feet and taller for the other 10, Cox said.

— steve dreyer, Pomerado News, "Trees being removed from closed Poway country club," 30 Mar. 2018
On the hill’s summit was a small hut, surrounded by maybe a half-dozen pine trees.

— david fettling, Longreads, "Uncomfortable Silences: A Walk in Myanmar," 29 Mar. 2018
Insect infestation, fungal infection and rising temperatures have also contributed to the problems with another source of nourishment: the white bark pine, whose seeds provide protein to bears just before winter hibernation.

— dino grandoni, Washington Post, "The Energy 202: Wyoming considers grizzly hunt after Trump team took bear off endangered list," 20 Mar. 2018
This seems more plausible, as Putin is known to pine for the return of the Soviet sphere of influence, of which Cuba was one jewel in the crown.

— kyle mizokami, Popular Mechanics, "Report: "Sonic" Injuries Against U.S. Diplomats in Cuba Are Real," 15 Feb. 2018
Markle has the unfussy hair most of us pine for—sophisticated but unforced, stylish but age-appropriate, and very becoming (as my mother would say).

— elizabeth angell, Town & Country, "In Praise of Meghan Markle's Messy Bun," 18 Jan. 2018
Concerns about the decline in the pines prompted a federal court in 2007 to rule against an initial de-listing of the bear.

— dino grandoni, Washington Post, "The Energy 202: Wyoming considers grizzly hunt after Trump team took bear off endangered list," 20 Mar. 2018
When the children pass through the wardrobe into Narnia for the first time, David Fillmore’s lighting illuminates a backdrop with a few pine trees and wisps of falling snow.

— lawrence toppman, charlotteobserver, "Can just two actors do all the kids and animals of Narnia for Children’s Theatre? | Charlotte Observer," 9 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'pine.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of pine

Middle English, from Old English pīn, from Latin pinus; probably akin to Greek pitys pine

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

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Other Seed Plant Terms

aubergine, box, bramble, briar, composite, perpetual, pulse, trefoil

pine

verb

Definition of pine

pined; pining

intransitive verb

1 : to lose vigor, health, or flesh (as through grief) : languish

2 : to yearn intensely and persistently especially for something unattainable

they still pined for their lost wealth

See pine defined for English-language learners

See pine defined for kids

Recent Examples of pine from the Web

In a cruel twist of fate, their characters continued to pine for each other on the show for another two years.

— hannah orenstein, Seventeen, "22 Celebrities Who Dated Their Co-Stars IRL," 6 Feb. 2018
Some in the Bay Area who pine for the fruit orchards of the Valley of Heart’s Delight might want to keep Silicon Valley as a replacement label.

— owen thomas, San Francisco Chronicle, "Silicon Valley faces an uncertain future — starting with its definition," 12 Mar. 2018
In a cruel twist of fate, their characters continued to pine for each other on the show for another two years.

— hannah orenstein, Seventeen, "22 Celebrities Who Dated Their Co-Stars IRL," 6 Feb. 2018
In a cruel twist of fate, their characters continued to pine for each other on the show for another two years.

— hannah orenstein, Seventeen, "22 Celebrities Who Dated Their Co-Stars IRL," 6 Feb. 2018
While others retailers might pine after the designer flavor of the month, Uniqlo actively seeks out designers who can speak the brand’s language of simplicity.

— cam wolf, GQ, "Uniqlo Finds Another Perfect Collaboration Partner," 20 Feb. 2018
In a cruel twist of fate, their characters continued to pine for each other on the show for another two years.

— hannah orenstein, Seventeen, "22 Celebrities Who Dated Their Co-Stars IRL," 6 Feb. 2018
After becoming a fitness fiend in 2015, Khloé Kardashian can’t help but pine a little for her pre-pregnancy body.

— julie mazziotta, PEOPLE.com, "Pregnant Khloé Kardashian Says 'Body, I Miss You' in Throwback Photo," 25 Jan. 2018
In a cruel twist of fate, their characters continued to pine for each other on the show for another two years.

— hannah orenstein, Seventeen, "18 Celebrities Who Dated Their Co-Stars IRL," 15 Dec. 2017

Origin and Etymology of pine

Middle English, from Old English pīnian to suffer, from *pīn punishment, from Latin poena — more at pain

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

See Words from the same year

Synonym Discussion of pine

long, yearn, hanker, pine, hunger, thirst mean to have a strong desire for something. long implies a wishing with one's whole heart and often a striving to attain.

- longed for some rest

yearn suggests an eager, restless, or painful longing.

- yearned for a stage career

hanker suggests the uneasy promptings of unsatisfied appetite or desire.

- always hankering for money

pine implies a languishing or a fruitless longing for what is impossible.

- pined for a lost love

hunger and thirst imply an insistent or impatient craving or a compelling need.

- hungered for a business of his own
- thirsted for power

PINE Defined for English Language Learners

pine

noun

Definition of pine for English Language Learners

: a tree that has long, thin needles instead of leaves and that stays green throughout the year
: the wood of a pine tree that is often used to make furniture

pine

verb

Definition of pine for English Language Learners

: to become thin and weak because of sadness or loss

PINE Defined for Kids

pine

noun \ ˈpīn \

Definition of pine for Students

: an evergreen tree that has cones, narrow needles for leaves, and a wood that ranges from very soft to hard

pine

verb

Definition of pine for Students

pined; pining

1 : to become thin and weak because of sadness or worry

2 : to long for very much

She pined for home.

Medical Dictionary

pine

noun \ ˈpīn \

medical Definition of pine

: any tree of the genus Pinus

pine

noun

medical Definition of pine

: a dietary deficiency disease of sheep or cattle marked by anemia, malnutrition, and general debility; specifically : such a disease due to cobalt deficiency — compare morton mains disease