woodwork

noun

wood·​work ˈwu̇d-ˌwərk 

1

: work made of wood

especially : interior fittings (such as moldings or stairways) of wood

2

: a place or state of concealment, seclusion, or anonymity

witnesses came out of the woodwork when a reward was offered

Examples of woodwork in a Sentence

We painted the walls white and the woodwork red.

The kick hit the woodwork.

Recent Examples on the Web

All three were selected from the year’s 5,100 submissions hailing from 133 countries and regions, and from a shortlist spanning 20 areas and a range of mediums including ceramics, woodwork, textiles, furniture, bookbinding, glass, metal, jewelry and lacquer. —Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 12 May 2026

Mercury joins forces with Uranus in Gemini on May 18, followed by the Uranus cazimi in the same sign on May 22, bringing unexpected news, sudden career pivots and opportunities that come out of the woodwork. —Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 11 May 2026

The guest rooms feel cozy yet polished, with custom woodwork, marble bathrooms, and playful design touches; select rooms even have private terraces. —Elizabeth Heath, Travel + Leisure, 11 May 2026

Many of the old tree sitters — white-haired and brimming with stories of Bari — have come out of the woodwork for the latest battle. —Lila Seidman, Los Angeles Times, 10 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1609, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing woodwork

• come/crawl out of the woodwork
• fade into the woodwork
• into the woodwork

Rhymes for woodwork

• artwork
• beadwork
• berserk
• breastwork
• brickwork
• brushwork
• casework
• classwork
• clockwork
• coursework
• ductwork
• earthwork

Kids Definition

woodwork

noun

wood·​work -ˌwərk 

: work made of wood

especially : interior fittings (as window frames or stairways) of wood