hardwood

1 of 2

noun

hard·​wood ˈhärd-ˌwu̇d 

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

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

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1686, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1767, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

hardwood

1 of 2 noun

hard·​wood ˈhär-ˌdwu̇d 

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