Alaska cedar

noun

variants or less commonly Alaska yellow cedar or Alaska cypress
1
: a tall, slow-growing evergreen tree (Chamaecyparis nootkatensis synonym Xanthocyparis nootkatensis synonym Cupressus nootkatensis) of the Pacific coast of North America that has reddish to grayish-brown bark and scalelike leaves and is often cultivated for ornament
2
: the hard, durable, yellowish wood of the Alaska cedar

called also Nootka cypress, sitka cypress, yellow cedar

Word History

First Known Use

1874, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of Alaska cedar was in 1874

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

Dictionary Entries Near Alaska cedar

Cite this Entry

“Alaska cedar.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Alaska%20cedar. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!