pine

noun, often attributive \ ˈpīn \

|Updated on: 10 Aug 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

The largest and most popular exhibit belonged to three playful bear cubs (a fourth looked down from the upper branches of a pine tree).

— scott craven, azcentral, "Bearizona: Top things to do at drive-thru wildlife park in Williams," 12 July 2018
The vehicle then flipped, causing its roof to collide with a pine tree that penetrated the passenger compartment.

— zachary hansen, ajc, "1 killed in crash in Cobb; driver sent to hospital," 5 July 2018
Residents in the picturesque area — towering pines mix with stands of banana trees, and ethereal banks of fog roll through the hills — eke out livelihoods off small coffee plantations and ranching.

— patrick j. mcdonnell, latimes.com, "'What if I lose her forever?' In Guatemala, a couple fears for their child still in detention in U.S.," 10 July 2018
The Celestial opened in 1963 and has long been known for its view, which takes in Downtown, the Ohio River and Kentucky, the plate glass windows contrasting with a knotty-pine atmosphere inside.

— polly campbell, Cincinnati.com, "Celestial closing, to become event center," 9 July 2018
One of the most magical spots is the Bois de la Chaise, a fragrant pine wood dotted with boulders and even a menhir, a standing stone erected in prehistoric times.

— mary winston nicklin, Condé Nast Traveler, "The Small Island Where the Tour de France Begins Is Actually a Vacationer's Paradise," 3 July 2018
Incredibles 2 pines for the hope, the sense of adventure, and, ironically, the innovation that characterized the 60s, while its negative aspects go unacknowledged.

— andrea thompson, Chicago Reader, "Incredibles 2 : Who’s afraid of the superpowered woman?," 29 June 2018
T&R Chemicals, a manufacturer of pine oil and derivatives in Clint, owns the land where Southwest Key operates its Casa Franklin facility in El Paso.

— mark collette, joshua fechter and bill lambrecht, San Antonio Express-News, "Companies earn billions to shelter immigrant children," 29 June 2018
My mother would never wear a dress like my abuela’s, would never smell like fried plantains and pine oil, would never ask question after question before getting to the point.

— Longreads, "La Otra," 26 June 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

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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

Pacers fans have had no reason to pine for Paul George this season, not with both Victor Oladipo and Domantas Sabonis smashing expectations during a surprising thrill ride.

— ben golliver, SI.com, "2018 NBA Playoffs: The Biggest Questions For Each Series," 12 Apr. 2018
There’s some humor, and some cool monsters, and a seductive droid named L3 (voiced by Phoebe Waller-Bridge) whom Lando seems to pine for.

— alissa wilkinson, Vox, "Solo: A Star Wars Story is the safest, most forgettable Star Wars movie," 24 May 2018
Ndegeocello, 49, may pine for her teen years, but any nostalgia is filtered on her new album through the prism of age and wisdom.

— george varga, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Meshell Ndegeocello San Diego-bound to promote 'Ventriloquism,' a covers album with many twists," 6 May 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
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

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

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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