sandalwood

noun

san·​dal·​wood ˈsan-dᵊl-ˌwu̇d 

1

: the compact close-grained fragrant yellowish heartwood of a parasitic tree (Santalum album of the family Santalaceae, the sandalwood family) of southern Asia much used in ornamental carving and cabinetwork

also : the tree that yields this wood

2

: any of various trees other than the sandalwood some of which yield dyewoods

also : the fragrant wood of such a tree

Examples of sandalwood in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Salted Muse is in the woody marine family with notes of sea salt, pink pepper, cedarwood, sandalwood and amber; and Blooming Fire is a warm floral with patchouli, Tahitian monoi flower and bergamot. —Erin Lassner, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 May 2024

Candles are always a safe choice, so grab this top seller on Amazon that comes in sophisticated packaging and smells like jasmine, sandalwood and oud. —Kelsey Chapman, ABC News, 8 May 2024

According to the description, the perfume weaves notes of bergamot, red apple, cotton candy, iris and freesia, buttery popcorn, warm sandalwood, vanilla bean and caramelized amber. —Anna Tingley, Variety, 8 May 2024

The fragrance is slightly floral, with some sandalwood and musk, bringing some romance. —Nora Colomer, Fox News, 6 May 2024

The vessel houses a beeswax blend with the brand’s Leather and Amber scent, which has notes of green leaf, thyme and lemon completed with sandalwood. —Jamie Sims Angela Koh Caitie Kelly Gage Daughdrill Shannon Adducci Ella Riley-Adams Caitie Kelly Angela Koh, New York Times, 2 May 2024

The 2005 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir is still showing truly lovely structure, with sandalwood and mellowed red fruit, while the 2005 Russian River Pinot Noir has oodles of soft ripe secondary fruit. —Laura Ness, The Mercury News, 19 Mar. 2024

The bespoke candle features rose and jasmine accents, with uplifting notes of lemon and sandalwood. —Anna Tingley, Variety, 23 Feb. 2024

Clove, patchouli, sandalwood, cardamom, and petitgrain punctuate this sensual number from Symrise perfumer Carlos Viñals. —Adam Hurly, Robb Report, 28 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

sandal sandalwood (from Middle English, from Anglo-French sandali, from Medieval Latin sandalum, from Late Greek santalon, ultimately from Sanskrit candana, of Dravidian origin; akin to Tamil cāntu sandalwood tree) + wood entry 1

First Known Use

circa 1511, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing sandalwood

• sandalwood oil

Kids Definition

sandalwood

noun

san·​dal·​wood -ˌwu̇d 

: the close-grained fragrant yellowish wood of an Asian tree often used in carving and cabinetwork

also : the tree that yields this wood