tree ring

IPA/ˈtriː ˌrɪŋ/
IPA/ˈtriː ˌrɪŋ/

tree ring — noun

1. one of the circular layers of wood inside a tree's trunk, where a fresh layer is

1.名詞B2
釋義

one of the circular layers of wood inside a tree's trunk, where a fresh layer is added every year, so counting the rings reveals the tree's age

例句

The forester counted the tree rings to learn how old the oak was.

count the tree rings to find a tree's age

Each summer of heavy rain leaves a wider tree ring in the wood.

a wider tree ring marks a wet growing year

同義詞
  • annual ring

    more technical botanical term for the same yearly band

  • growth ring

    broader term; also covers similar rings in shells and horns

用法筆記

Usually plural (tree rings) when the point is counting them to date a tree or read past weather; the singular names just one band of growth.

常見錯誤

Each year the tree grows a new tree ring around its branches.
Each year the tree grows a new ring inside its trunk.
💡tree rings form in the wood of the trunk, not around the branches.