red cedar

noun

1

: a common juniper (Juniperus virginiana) chiefly of the eastern U.S. that has dark green closely imbricated scalelike leaves

also : a related tree (J. silicicola) of the southeastern U.S.

2

: western red cedar sense 1

3

: the red or reddish-brown wood of a red cedar

Examples of red cedar in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

These include saw palmetto, wax myrtle, yaupon, red cedar, cypress and young pine trees. — Sarah Perkel, USA Today, 21 Aug. 2026

Throughout the park, towering red cedars and western hemlocks more than 1,000 years old stretch over 13 feet in diameter. — Alexandra Emanuelli, Travel + Leisure, 13 July 2026

This disease requires two species to complete its life cycle, Eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana) cultivars and crabapples or apples. — Tim Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 14 June 2026

Burning, which is effective for eastern red cedar, is not effective in controlling Bradford pear. — Markis Hill, Kansas City Star, 28 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1682, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for red cedar

• cheerleader
• proofreader
• ringleader
• bleeder
• breeder
• feeder
• leader
• lieder
• meader
• pleader
• reader
• reeder

Kids Definition

red cedar

noun

1

: any of several U.S. evergreen trees that are conifers with scalelike leaves and fragrant red or reddish brown wood

2

: the wood of a red cedar