hardwood

1 of 2

noun

hard·​wood ˈhärd-ˌwu̇d How to pronounce hardwood (audio)
1
: the wood of an angiospermous tree as distinguished from that of a coniferous tree
2
: a tree that yields hardwood
3
: a basketball court

hardwood

2 of 2

adjective

1
: having or made of hardwood
hardwood floors
2
: consisting of mature woody tissue
hardwood cuttings

Examples of hardwood in a Sentence

Noun They used expensive hardwoods for the flooring. oaks, maples, and other hardwoods
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
State Farm Arena, in Atlanta, houses a bar accessible to its highest-paying customers that sits on the arena’s literal hardwood floor, only feet from the benches. —Andrew Greif, NBC News, 6 Nov. 2024 As previously mentioned, 11 NBA games hit the hardwood tonight, including Celtics-Pacers, Heat-Knicks and Spurs-Thunder. —Tim Van Straten, Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2024
Adjective
With care, a hardwood frame was built to ensure stability while rescuers worked. —Jon Haworth, ABC News, 22 Oct. 2024 The first floor will have hardwood flooring, while the upstairs will be carpeted, Creamer explained. —Brendel Hightower, Detroit Free Press, 10 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for hardwood 

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1686, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1767, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of hardwood was in 1686

Dictionary Entries Near hardwood

hard-won

hardwood

hard-wooded

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Hardwood.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hardwood. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

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Kids Definition

hardwood

1 of 2 noun
hard·​wood ˈhär-ˌdwu̇d How to pronounce hardwood (audio)
1
: the wood of a tree (as an oak or maple) producing flowers and having usually broad leaves as compared to the wood of a tree bearing cones and having needlelike leaves compare softwood sense 1
2
: a tree that yields hardwood

hardwood

2 of 2 adjective
1
: having or made of hardwood
2
: consisting of mature woody tissue
a hardwood cutting

More from Merriam-Webster on hardwood

Nglish: Translation of hardwood for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about hardwood

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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