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
On this night, the hardwood bruises had given way to dirt and pine tar. Ira Gorawara, New York Times, 15 May 2026 Kehinde, for instance, can turn his flesh into a kind of hardwood armor. Chris Hewitt, Boston Herald, 15 May 2026
Adjective
The Ravello mirror channels 1960s Palm Beach Regency in a contemporary way, with a hardwood frame made to look like authentic bamboo pieces. Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 13 May 2026 The hardwood floors throughout are nicely maintained with thin beams and decorative borders. Katie McDonough, Curbed, 11 May 2026 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Hardwood.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hardwood. Accessed 20 May. 2026.

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

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