torchwood

noun

torch·​wood ˈtȯrch-ˌwu̇d How to pronounce torchwood (audio)
1
: any of a genus (Amyris) of tropical American trees and shrubs of the rue family with hard heavy fragrant resinous streaky yellowish-brown wood
2
: the wood of a torchwood

Examples of torchwood in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Little Torch Key, and its sister islands Middle and Big Torch Key, were named after the torchwood, a native tree found on all three islands that's effective as kindling even when wet. Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 6 Dec. 2023 Frankincense and myrrh are both resins extracted from trees in the Burseraceae family, also known as the torchwood or incense family. Eleanor Cummins, Popular Science, 23 Dec. 2020

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'torchwood.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1833, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of torchwood was in 1833

Dictionary Entries Near torchwood

Cite this Entry

“Torchwood.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/torchwood. Accessed 23 Apr. 2024.

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