redwood

noun

red·​wood ˈred-ˌwu̇d 

1

: any of various woods (such as brazilwood) yielding a red dye

2

: a tree that yields a red dyewood or produces red or reddish wood

3

a

: a very tall coniferous tree (Sequoia sempervirens) of the cypress family that grows chiefly in coastal California, sometimes reaches a height of 360 feet (110 meters), and is a commercially important timber tree

called also coast redwood

see cone illustration compare dawn redwood

b

: its brownish-red durable wood

Examples of redwood in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Hess built his winery from readily available materials, like volcanic rock, and fashioned fermentation tanks from California redwood trees found on the property. —Mike Desimone, Robb Report, 16 Oct. 2025

The fact that Travis Kelce is roaming around the world with a redwood swinging between his legs is both none of my business and harrowing. —Rachel Handler, Vulture, 3 Oct. 2025

The new cards also have updated designs with images of California’s iconic redwood trees and California poppies as well as the state’s expansive coastline. —Hannah Poukish, Sacbee.com, 2 Oct. 2025

An image of California’s redwood trees, poppies and coastline are accompanied by a digital security signature embedded in one of the two barcodes on the back — making California one of the first states to use this feature. —Sydney Barragan, Oc Register, 1 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1533, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing redwood

• coast redwood
• dawn redwood

Rhymes for redwood

• allgood
• basswood
• beechwood
• bellwood
• birchwood
• boxwood
• boyhood
• brushwood
• childhood
• cordwood
• dogwood
• driftwood

Kids Definition

redwood

noun

red·​wood ˈred-ˌwu̇d 

: a tall cone-producing evergreen tree mostly of coastal California that is related to the bald cypresses and sometimes grows to be 360 feet (110 meters) tall

also : its light long-lasting brownish red wood