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

Lavender, vanilla, sandalwood and musk are the workhorse notes for fragrances meant to soothe, and lavender in particular has a deep evidence base. —Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Charlotte Observer, 17 June 2026

That makes lavender, paired with warm bases like vanilla and sandalwood, a strong pick for evening wear or stressful days. —Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Kansas City Star, 17 June 2026

Scents can also be mixed and matched; popular combinations include rose with vanilla or lemon with orange and sandalwood. —Bestreviews, Mercury News, 17 June 2026

Lactones are creamy, milky molecules that are naturally found in figs and can be artificially replicated to mimic the smell of sandalwood. —Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 15 June 2026

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