Definition of yew
1a : any of a genus (Taxus of the family Taxaceae, the yew family) of evergreen gymnospermous trees and shrubs with stiff linear leaves and seeds surrounded by a fleshy red aril: such as (1) : a long-lived Eurasian tree or shrub (T. baccata) —called also English yew (2) : a low straggling bush (T. canadensis) of the eastern U.S. and Canada (3) : pacific yewb : the wood of a yew; especially : the heavy fine-grained wood of the English yew
2 archaic : an archery bow made of yew
From the M-W Editors
Examples of yew in a Sentence
a bow made of yew
Illustration of yew
Origin and Etymology of yew
Middle English ew, from Old English īw; akin to Old High German īwa yew, Middle Irish eó
First Known Use: before 12th century
YEW Defined for English Language Learners
yew
playDefinition of yew for English Language Learners
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: an evergreen tree or bush with stiff needles and small red berries
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: the wood of a yew
YEW Defined for Kids
yew
playDefinition of yew for Students
: a tree or shrub with stiff needlelike evergreen leaves and seeds having a red juicy covering
Medical Dictionary
yew
playMedical Definition of yew
: any of a genus (Taxus of the family Taxaceae, the yew family) of evergreen trees and shrubs with stiff linear leaves and seeds surrounded by a fleshy red aril; especially : one (T. brevifolia) of the Pacific coast of the United States and Canada whose bark yields the antineoplastic drug paclitaxel
Learn More about yew
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See words that rhyme with yew Spanish Central: Translation of yew Nglish: Translation of yew for Spanish speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about yew
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