wood

noun

\ ˈwu̇d

How to pronounce wood (audio)

\

Definition of wood

(Entry 1 of 6)

1a : the hard fibrous substance consisting basically of xylem that makes up the greater part of the stems, branches, and roots of trees or shrubs beneath the bark and is found to a limited extent in herbaceous plants

b : wood suitable or prepared for some use (such as burning or building)

2a : a dense growth of trees usually greater in extent than a grove and smaller than a forest —often used in plural but singular or plural in construction

b : woodland

3a : something made of wood

b : a golf club having a thick wooden head also : a golf club having a similar head made of metal

out of the woods

: clear of danger or difficulty

wood

adjective (1)

\ ˈwu̇d

How to pronounce wood (audio)

\

Definition of wood (Entry 2 of 6)

1 : wooden

2 : suitable for cutting or working with wood a wood saw

3 or woods \ ˈwu̇dz

How to pronounce wood (audio)

\ : living, growing, or existing in woods woods trails

wood

verb

\ ˈwu̇d

How to pronounce wood (audio)

\

wooded; wooding; woods

Definition of wood (Entry 3 of 6)

intransitive verb

: to gather or take on wood

transitive verb

: to cover with a growth of trees or plant with trees

wood

adjective (2)

\ ˈwüd

How to pronounce wood (audio)

, ˈwōd

How to pronounce wood (audio)

, ˈwu̇d

How to pronounce wood (audio)

\

Definition of wood (Entry 4 of 6)

archaic

: violently mad

Wood

biographical name (1)

\ ˈwu̇d

How to pronounce Wood (audio)

\

Definition of Wood (Entry 5 of 6)

Grant (DeVolson) 1892–1942 American painter

Wood

biographical name (2)

Definition of Wood (Entry 6 of 6)

Leonard 1860–1927 American physician and general

Synonyms Example Sentences Learn More about wood

Keep scrolling for more

Synonyms for wood

Synonyms: Noun

lumber,
timber

Examples of wood in a Sentence

Noun Some baseball bats are made out of wood. The wood on the deck has begun to rot. Their house is near a small wood. A thick woods runs along the boundary of the estate. The house is surrounded by woods. He went for a hike in the woods. She hit a wood off the tee.

First Known Use of wood

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Adjective (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1613, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Adjective (2)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for wood

Noun

Middle English wode, from Old English widu, wudu; akin to Old High German witu wood, Old Irish fid tree

Adjective (2)

Middle English, from Old English wōd insane; akin to Old High German wuot madness — more at vatic

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about wood

Dictionary Entries near wood

Statistics for wood

Cite this Entry

“Wood.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wood. Accessed 15 Apr. 2021.

Style: MLA

MLA

Chicago

APA

Merriam-Webster Check Mark Icon

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for wood

wood

noun

English Language Learners Definition of wood

: the hard substance that makes up the stems and branches of trees and shrubs

: an area of land covered with many trees

: a thick growth of trees and bushes that covers a wide area

See the full definition for wood in the English Language Learners Dictionary

wood

noun

\ ˈwu̇d

\

Kids Definition of wood

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : a thick growth of trees : a small forest —often used in pl. We hiked in the woods.

2 : a hard fibrous material that makes up most of the substance of a tree or shrub beneath the bark and is often used as a building material or fuel

wood

adjective

Kids Definition of wood (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : wooden sense 1 a wood floor

2 : used for or on wood a wood chisel

3 or woods \ ˈwu̇dz \ : living or growing in woodland woods herbs

Keep scrolling for more

WORD OF THE DAY

obstreperous

Listen to the pronunciation of obstreperous

See Definitions and Examples »

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

The Exceptions Quiz III

Which of these words does not mean "nonsense"?

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Anagram puzzles meet word search.

TAKE THE QUIZ