pine

play

noun, often attributive \ ˈpīn \

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

At another stop, the Swiss native points to a massive warehouse where 20-pound wheels of Grand Cru are being aged on slats of red pine.

— jay jones, chicagotribune.com, "Wisconsin's Green County makes a delicious destination for cheese fans," 29 Aug. 2017
The biggest surprise, though, is how articulate the simple things are: the iron pot of new crop rice is pure and masterful, and the shochu with a sprig of aromatic pine is the culinary equivalent of taking a brisk winter walk in Hokkaido.

— Condé Nast Traveler, "Shibumi," 25 Aug. 2017
Here, Sanchez trains fighters as the Boxing Gods intended: In seclusion, almost 7,000 feet above sea level, amid towering pine trees and far from camera crews, cronies and P.T. Barnum press conferences.

— greg bishop, SI.com, "Farce vs. Fight: Is Mayweather-McGregor Risking Boxing's Best Chance at Resurgence?," 22 Aug. 2017
Wildfires race through eucalyptus and pine forests that are uncleared and tightly packed.

— barry hatton, The Seattle Times, "Heroes without capes: Portugal’s firefighters work for free," 14 Aug. 2017
A completely new landscape had sprung into existence when a sentient being decided to introduce pine trees.

— Longreads, "Late in Life, Thoreau Became a Serious Darwinist," 13 July 2017
A recent study found pollen likely from pine plantations in New Zealand in a deep sea trench 35,000 feet below the surface of the Pacific Ocean.

— sarah zhang, The Atlantic, "Why Are There So Many More Species on Land When the Sea Is Bigger?," 12 July 2017
The Missoni factory is just beyond a row of dogwood bushes and pine trees.

— laura rysman, New York Times, "At Home (and in the Garden) With Rosita Missoni," 11 July 2017
California's Great Red North is the opposite, a vast, rural, mountainous tract of pine forests with a political ethos that bears more resemblance to Texas than to Los Angeles.

— charles p. pierce, Esquire, "The Great American Shadow," 5 July 2017

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

See Words from the same year

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

Some especially sentimental fans may still pine for bygone frontman Steve Perry, who quit in the late 1990s.

— doug maccash, NOLA.com, "Journey packs the Smoothie King Center with faithful fans Friday," 10 June 2017
Hard-core basketball fans might pine for the East Region to go according to form, setting up Villanova vs. Duke in the round of 8 at Madison Square Garden.

— marc tracy, New York Times, "An N.C.A.A. Bracket Stocked With Familiar Names," 12 Mar. 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

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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

play

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

play

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

play

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