sapwood

noun

sap·​wood ˈsap-ˌwu̇d 

: the younger softer living or physiologically active outer portion of wood that lies between the cambium and the heartwood and is more permeable, less durable, and usually lighter in color than the heartwood

Examples of sapwood in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

So, to find out if this is the cause, to verify the infection, go outside to your tree, and cut into the light-colored sapwood of a dying branch, and look for greenish-black streaks and discoloration. —Steve Bender, Southern Living, 15 Oct. 2025

After laying the egg, the adult crawls up the branch and chews a groove around the branch, cutting through the bark and much of the sapwood. —Tim Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2025

The trick is to find a live tree with lots of termite activity, such that the trunk has been hollowed out leaving just the living sapwood shell. —Elizabeth Rayne, Ars Technica, 29 Dec. 2023

Fungus can reduce wood strength and may kill storage and conductive tissues in the sapwood. —oregonlive, 26 Aug. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1791, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for sapwood

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

Kids Definition

sapwood

noun

sap·​wood -ˌwu̇d 

: the young sap-containing and usually lighter-colored wood found just beneath the bark of a tree compare heartwood