white cedar

noun

1

: an aromatic evergreen swamp tree (Chamaecyparis thyoides) of the cypress family that occurs along the eastern coast of the U.S. and has branchlets in fan-shaped sprays and small round cones

also : its wood

2

: northern white cedar

Examples of white cedar in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The beautiful smell of Marriott’s signature scent is both inspiring and mysterious, blended with top notes of cassis, sparkling Fuji apple, grapefruit, cyclamen, paired with the subtle notes of pink jasmine, rose, lily of the valley, mountain sage, white cedar, and pale musk. —Caroline Hughes, Travel + Leisure, 6 Jan. 2026

All of the wooden pieces are hand-crafted from eastern white cedar, and the structure is capped off with a metal shingle roof that gives the sauna a great standalone presence as well as some extra protection from the elements. —Dean Stattmann, Outside, 19 Oct. 2025

His efforts have brought attention to the declining supply of Atlantic white cedar trees in Nipmuc territory. —Brittney Melton, NPR, 13 Oct. 2025

The ceremonial fire, circled by cedar boughs, opened to the east where guests entered to offer prayer by sprinkling tobacco, sage, white cedar and sweetgrass to be burned. —Gregory Harutunian, Chicago Tribune, 25 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1654, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for white cedar

• interpleader
• bleeder
• breeder
• feeder
• leader
• lieder
• meader
• pleader
• reader
• reeder
• seeder
• weeder

Kids Definition

white cedar

noun

1

: either of two trees related to the cypresses:

a

: an evergreen swamp tree of the eastern coast of the U.S.

b

: a common arborvitae especially of eastern Canada and the northeastern U.S.

2

: the wood of a white cedar