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

Without consistent control measures taken by humans, the eastern red cedar soon claims grassland. —Anthony Reardon, Kansas City Star, 28 Mar. 2025

For example, eastern red cedar is native to the eastern regions of the United States. —Anthony Reardon, Kansas City Star, 28 Mar. 2025

All of the forests listed as old-growth sites have documented patches of old-growth trees growing among the forest canopy with trees including pitch pine, hardwood, red cedar, black gum and sugar maple. —Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 4 Mar. 2025

These include rooms of yellow pine, white pine, red fir and red cedar. —Nick Rosenberger, Idaho Statesman, 26 Jan. 2025

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