ponderosa pine

noun

pon·​der·​o·​sa pine ˌpän-də-ˈrō-sə- 

-zə-

: a tall pine (Pinus ponderosa) of western North America with long needles usually in groups of two or three

also : its strong reddish straight-grained wood

Examples of ponderosa pine in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Don’t forget to stop at Oak Creek Vista at the head of the canyon among the ponderosa pines. —Roger Naylor, The Arizona Republic, 18 Oct. 2024

Suggested alternate main hed for curiosity gap: 5 reasons why this northern Arizona city is the best road trip in Arizona Flagstaff is sometimes called the City in the Pines for its ponderosa pine forests. —Michael Salerno, The Arizona Republic, 7 Aug. 2024

The entire route is shaded by ponderosa pines and creekside stands of boxelders, locust and oaks with an understory of brambles and wildflowers. —Mare Czinar, The Arizona Republic, 26 Sep. 2024

The higher elevations in the park receive twice as much rain as the desert floor, creating a more diverse habitat that includes oaks, maples, and ash trees as well as a few aspens, all mixed in with ponderosa pines and Douglas firs. —Graham Averill, Outside Online, 16 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

New Latin ponderosa, specific epithet of Pinus ponderosa, from Latin, feminine of ponderosus ponderous

First Known Use

1878, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

ponderosa pine

noun

pon·​der·​o·​sa pine ˌpän-də-ˌrō- sə- 

-zə-

: a tall timber pine of western North America with long needles in groups of 2 or 3

also : its strong reddish straight-grained wood