cedar

noun

ce·​dar ˈsē-dər 

1

a

: any of a genus (Cedrus) of usually tall coniferous trees (such as the cedar of Lebanon or the deodar) of the pine family noted for their fragrant durable wood

b

: any of numerous coniferous trees (as of the genera Juniperus, Chamaecyparis, or Thuja of the cypress family) that resemble the true cedars especially in the fragrance and durability of their wood

2

: the wood of a cedar

cedary

ˈsē-dər-ē 

-də-rē

adjective

Examples of cedar in a Sentence

a chair made of cedar

Recent Examples on the Web

The fragrance is an exotic blend of cardamom, coriander, saffron, and cedar over a base of leather and amber, evoking the atmosphere of an old-world marketplace. —Michael Stefanov, Robb Report, 31 Oct. 2024

Be sure to spend time beneath the cedar, pine, and fir trees here, either via the Idyllwild Nature Center or the Ernie Maxwell Scenic Trail, and stop in for a pie at Idyllwild Pizza Company or at Red Kettle for a diner breakfast. —Chelsee Lowe, Travel + Leisure, 29 Oct. 2024

This candle’s notes of cedar, cypress, and vetiver are for bringing the outdoors in, a forest bathing technique for the city-dweller. —Megan Wahn, Architectural Digest, 18 Oct. 2024

Even when made into forest products, those are usually headed to landfills within decades, while a living Douglas fir or cedar can persist for 800 years or more and keep right on sequestering carbon, Oregon State University emeritus professor Beverly Law points out in her 2018 paper. —Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 15 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English cedre, from Anglo-French, from Latin cedrus, from Greek kedros

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing cedar

• Atlantic white cedar
• cedar-apple rust
• cedar of Lebanon
• cedar waxwing
• incense cedar
• Japanese cedar
• northern white cedar
• red cedar
• salt cedar
• western red cedar
• white cedar

Kids Definition

cedar

noun

ce·​dar ˈsēd-ər 

1

a

: any of a genus of usually tall trees related to the pines and noted for their fragrant durable wood

b

: any of numerous cone-bearing trees (as some junipers) resembling the true cedars especially in having fragrant long-lasting wood

2

: the wood of a cedar

Geographical Definition

Cedar

geographical name

Ce·​dar ˈsē-dər 

river 329 miles (529 kilometers) long in southeastern Minnesota and eastern Iowa flowing southeast into the Iowa River