sequoia

noun se·quoia \ si-ˈkwȯi-ə \

|Updated on: 7 Jun 2018

Definition of sequoia

: either of two huge coniferous California trees of the bald cypress family that may reach a height of over 300 feet (90 meters):

a : giant sequoia

b : redwood 3a

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Recent Examples of sequoia from the Web

The backseat affords enough legroom to accommodate NBA sequoias like Kevin Durant.

— al haas, Philly.com, "Volkswagen offers a roomy 2018 Passat GT that's fun to play with," 31 May 2018
Aldred climbed his first big tree, a sequoia in England’s New Forest, at the age of 16 with a couple of friends.

— josephine livingstone, The New Republic, "Shaking the Tree," 30 May 2018
The plan would include restoration of the vast forest ecosystem and the protection of the diverse array of plants and animals that depend on redwoods and sequoias.

— peter fimrite, San Francisco Chronicle, "A plea to save California’s treasured coast redwoods, giant sequoias," 18 Apr. 2018
Although most sequoias have been protected, 1,200 acres are still vulnerable, including the Alder Creek Grove, in the southern Sierra near Sequoia National Monument.

— peter fimrite, San Francisco Chronicle, "A plea to save California’s treasured coast redwoods, giant sequoias," 18 Apr. 2018
When the snows and rains came in 2017 and ended the drought, the sequoias were still standing.

— zach st. george, Smithsonian, "How California’s Giant Sequoias Tell the Story of Americans’ Conflicted Relationship With Nature," 20 Mar. 2018
There is a wooded area with a pond, and the property has mature sequoia, Lebanon cedar and redwood trees, Mr. Hoyle said.

— alison gregor, New York Times, "House Hunting in … Wales," 4 Apr. 2018
In 2014, after two years of drought, many sequoias began losing their needles.

— zach st. george, Smithsonian, "How California’s Giant Sequoias Tell the Story of Americans’ Conflicted Relationship With Nature," 20 Mar. 2018
Growers heaping fertilizer at the foot of a centuries-old sequoia tree, needlessly endangering it.

— Washington Post, "Legal pot in California brings host of environmental rules," 22 Dec. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'sequoia.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of sequoia

New Latin, genus name, from Sequoya (George Guess)

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: circa 1866

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

SEQUOIA Defined for English Language Learners

sequoia

noun

Definition of sequoia for English Language Learners

: a very tall evergreen tree that grows in California

SEQUOIA Defined for Kids

sequoia

noun se·quoia \ si-ˈkwȯi-ə \

Definition of sequoia for Students

1 : giant sequoia

2 : redwood

Learn More about sequoia

See words that rhyme with sequoia Spanish Central: Translation of sequoia Nglish: Translation of sequoia for Spanish speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about sequoia

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sequoia

Definition of sequoia

Recent Examples of sequoia from the Web

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SEQUOIA Defined for English Language Learners

sequoia

Definition of sequoia for English Language Learners

SEQUOIA Defined for Kids

sequoia

Definition of sequoia for Students

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