white oak

noun

: any of various oaks (especially Quercus alba of eastern North America) with acorns that mature in one year and leaf veins that never extend beyond the margin of the leaf
also : its hard strong durable wood

Illustration of white oak

Illustration of white oak
  • leaves and acorns

Examples of white oak in a Sentence

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.
One detail worth mentioning is the solid white oak knobs that are perfect for hanging totes and ties. Yelena Moroz Alpert, Architectural Digest, 17 July 2025 But then to kick it up a notch, the bourbon was enhanced with a variety of wood staves including white oak, maple, walnut, and hickory. Olivia Evans, The Courier-Journal, 14 July 2025 The term is also applied, however, to casks made from white oak species other than American oak, such as Japanese Oak (Mizunara) or French oak. Joseph V Micallef, Forbes.com, 16 June 2025 The contemporary stools are made with a solid hardwood frame and finished with a decorative layer of white oak for a polished appearance. Jacqueline Tempera, People.com, 4 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for white oak

Word History

First Known Use

1610, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of white oak was in 1610

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Cite this Entry

“White oak.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/white%20oak. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.

Kids Definition

white oak

noun
: any of various oaks with acorns that mature in one year
also : the hard, strong wood of a white oak that lasts well and is not easily rotted by water

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