Douglas fir

noun

Doug·​las fir ˈdə-gləs- How to pronounce Douglas fir (audio)
: any of a genus (Pseudotsuga) of tall evergreen timber trees of the pine family having thick bark, pitchy wood, and pendulous cones
especially : one (P. menziesii synonym P. taxifolia) chiefly of the western U.S. see cone illustration

Examples of Douglas fir in a Sentence

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
That’s poison oak growing up a Douglas fir tree. — New York Times, 16 May 2026 In the open kitchen, for example, azure tiles and plain-sawn Douglas fir cabinetry nod to surf and turf. — Sam Cochran, Architectural Digest, 25 June 2026 The spine of our house was a 60-foot beam that ran the length of the basement ceiling, hand-carved from the trunk of an ancient Douglas fir. — Chris Jones, The Atlantic, 26 May 2026 For these tree houses, the interiors are mostly crafted from Douglas fir, while the decks and railing are made of redwood cedar. — Kristine Hansen, Travel + Leisure, 26 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for Douglas fir

Word History

Etymology

David Douglas †1834 Scottish botanist

First Known Use

1835, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Douglas fir was in 1835

Rhymes for Douglas fir

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Browse Nearby Words

Douglas
Douglas fir
Douglas-fir beetle
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Cite this Entry

“Douglas fir.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Douglas%20fir. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

Douglas fir

noun
Doug·​las fir ˌdəg-ləs- How to pronounce Douglas fir (audio)
: a tall evergreen cone-bearing timber tree of the western U.S.

More from Merriam-Webster on Douglas fir

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about Douglas fir

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