lumbered; lumbering
ˈləm-b(ə-)riŋ 
1
: to move ponderously
an elephant lumbering along the road
The economy continues to lumber along.
2
: rumble
lumbering machines
1
: surplus or disused articles (such as furniture) that are stored away
2
a
: timber or logs especially when dressed for use
b
: any of various structural materials prepared in a form similar to lumber
lumber
adjective
lumbered; lumbering
ˈləm-b(ə-)riŋ
1
: to clutter with or as if with lumber : encumber
plan to lumber the tiny town with a giant ski resort—
Marilyn Stasio
Marilyn Stasio2
: to heap together in disorder
3
: to log and saw the timber of
Synonyms
Examples of lumber in a Sentence
Verb (1)
the elephant lumbered through the jungle
the novel's plot lumbers to its predictable conclusion after 500 long pages
the horse-drawn wagon lumbered along the trail
preparations that will lumber the expedition with unnecessary equipment and supplies
Noun
He works for a lumber company.
had a clearout of all his old lumber and finally got rid of it
Recent Examples on the Web
Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA TODAY, 29 Oct. 2024
The pandemic clogged the global supply chain, imposing shortages for everything from cars to lumber to exercise equipment.
—Max Zahn, ABC News, 11 Oct. 2024
Sean Keane, ABC News, 20 July 2024
When the hotel was torn down, much of the lumber was sold to be used in building houses in the area.
—Ray Hanley, arkansasonline.com, 30 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for lumber 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Verb
In the security camera footage, the rotund bear can be seen lumbering up a set of steps to a festive fall display arranged at the top.
—Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA TODAY, 29 Oct. 2024
The pandemic clogged the global supply chain, imposing shortages for everything from cars to lumber to exercise equipment.
—Max Zahn, ABC News, 11 Oct. 2024
Noun
Missoula County was once home to multiple sawmills and a thriving lumber industry.
—Sean Keane, ABC News, 20 July 2024
When the hotel was torn down, much of the lumber was sold to be used in building houses in the area.
—Ray Hanley, arkansasonline.com, 30 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for lumber
Dictionary Entries Near lumber
Cite this Entry
“Lumber.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lumber. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
lumber
1 of 3 verb
lum·ber
ˈləm-bər
lumbered; lumbering
-b(ə-)riŋ
: to move heavily or clumsily
also
: rumble entry 1
lumberingly
adverb
lumber
2 of 3 noun1
: extra or unused household articles (as furniture) that are stored away
2
: timber or logs especially when sawed and trimmed for use
lumber
3 of 3 verb
lumbered; lumbering
-b(ə-)riŋ
1
2
a
: to cut logs
b
: to saw logs into lumber
Etymology
Verb
Middle English lomeren "to move heavily or clumsily"
Noun
perhaps derived from the name Lombard, originally associated with bankers and pawnbrokers, and so called from the use of pawnshops for storing unwanted or excess property
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