cedar

IPA/ˈsiːdə(r)/
KK[sˈidɚ]IPA/ˈsiːdər/

cedar — noun

  • cedarsingular
  • cedarsplural

1. an evergreen tree that can grow very high and broad, with large side branches an

1.nounB2
Definition

an evergreen tree that can grow very high and broad, with large side branches and a noticeable sweet smell, especially in the Cedrus group.

Example

A tall cedar shaded the picnic tables beside the mountain lake.

countable: 'a cedar' names one tree

Joon swept fallen cedar needles from the path before the guests arrived.

common collocation: cedar needles

Common collocations
  • tall cedar
  • cedar tree
  • cedar branch
  • cedar needles
  • cedar forest

Grammar Patterns

a cedar

cedar branch

cedar needles

Usage Note

Usually countable when you mean the tree itself. In everyday English, speakers often add another noun after it, such as cedar tree, cedar branch, or cedar needles.

Common Mistakes

Three cedar fell in the storm.
Three cedars fell in the storm.
when you mean several trees, use the plural form 'cedars'.

2. the hard, sweet-smelling wood from a cedar tree, used for chests, furniture, and

2.nounB2
Definition

the hard, sweet-smelling wood from a cedar tree, used for chests, furniture, and building.

Example

Beatrix kept winter sweaters in a cedar chest under her bed.

common noun phrase: cedar chest

The carpenter cut cedar boards for the wardrobe in Hana's room.

material noun: cedar boards

Common collocations
  • cedar chest
  • cedar boards
  • cedar smell
  • cedar shelf
  • solid cedar
Synonyms
  • timber

    broader word for wood used in building; not specific to cedar

Grammar Patterns

made of cedar

cedar chest

cedar boards

Usage Note

Uncountable when it means the material. Distinguish from sense 1: here cedar refers to the wood, not the living tree.

Common Mistakes

The box is made of a cedar.
The box is made of cedar.
when cedar means the material, it is uncountable and does not take 'a'.

3. a tree from another conifer group that is called a cedar because its smell or wo

3.nounC1
Definition

a tree from another conifer group that is called a cedar because its smell or wood is like that of a true cedar.

Example

The farm road was lined with red cedars that smelled sweet after rain.

named type: red cedar

This fence is made from white cedar, not from a true cedar.

contrast: named cedar that is not a true cedar

Common collocations
  • red cedar
  • white cedar
  • cedar fence posts
  • cedar hedge

Grammar Patterns

red cedar

white cedar

Usage Note

Often appears in names such as red cedar or white cedar. Distinguish from sense 1: these trees are called cedars in English, but they are not members of the true cedar group.

Common Mistakes

Every tree called cedar is a true cedar.
Some trees called cedar belong to other conifer groups.
English uses 'cedar' for several similar trees as well as for true cedars.

Common collocations

Nouns

  • cedar tree
  • cedar branch
  • cedar needles
  • cedar chest
  • cedar boards

Phrases

  • red cedar
  • white cedar
  • cedar of Lebanon

Prepositions

  • made of cedar

Etymology

GreekLatinOld FrenchMiddle EnglishModern English

English cedar came through Old French and Latin from Greek kedros. In older use, the word could refer both to true cedars and to other fragrant trees with similar wood, which helps explain why English still uses cedar in the names of some trees outside the true cedar group.

First known use

14th century

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