logwood

noun

log·​wood ˈlȯg-ˌwu̇d 

ˈläg-

1

a

: a small leguminous tree (Haematoxylum campechianum) native to Mexico and Central America that is cultivated in warmer climates especially for the dye extracted from its heartwood

Note: The logwood has become naturalized in many regions (as the West Indies, Africa, and Australia) where it is sometimes considered an invasive species.

b

: the very hard brown or brownish-red heartwood of logwood

2

: a dye extracted from the heartwood of logwood compare hematoxylin

Examples of logwood in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

But despite the family tension, Shyne never gave up on his home nation, a former logwood-trading outpost that won independence and changed its name from British Honduras in 1981. —Sean Williams, Rolling Stone, 22 May 2022

An exhibit on Easter eggs at the Ukrainian National Museum explains that earlier in history, natural dyes were used, such as red coloring derived from logwood, yellow from apple tree bark and black from old walnut or oak bark. —Angie Leventis Lourgos, chicagotribune.com, 9 Apr. 2022

An example of this metaphor is the 12th House Dress, piece-dyed in striations of madder, indigo, logwood, and marigolds and created in collaboration with Swarovski. —Laird Borrelli-Persson, Vogue, 11 June 2021

By the early 19th century, a newer dye made from logwood and ferrous sulfate made the color cheap to produce. —Shelley Puhak, The Atlantic, 13 Oct. 2017

Word History

First Known Use

1581, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

logwood

noun

log·​wood ˈlȯg-ˌwu̇d 

ˈläg-

: a Central American and West Indian tree of the legume family that has hard brown or brownish red heartwood used in dyeing

also : the heartwood or a preparation made from it

Medical Definition

logwood

noun

log·​wood ˈlȯg-ˌwu̇d, ˈläg- 

1

a

: a Central American and West Indian leguminous tree (Haematoxylon campechianum)

b

: the very hard brown or brownish red heartwood of logwood

2

: a dye extracted from the heartwood of logwood see hematoxylin