two-by-four

1 of 2

noun

ˌtü-bī-ˈfȯr How to pronounce two-by-four (audio)
: a piece of lumber approximately 2 by 4 inches as sawed and usually 1 1/2 by 3 1/2 inches when dressed

two-by-four

2 of 2

adjective

1
: small or petty of its kind
… this house and its two-by-four garden …—Philip Barry
2
: measuring two units (such as inches) by four

Examples of two-by-four in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Noun
It is believed his killer struck him with a two-by-four. — Rebecca White, New York Daily News, 23 Feb. 2026 But there’s more than two-by-fours and branches lying around. — Kayla Levy, Curbed, 7 Nov. 2025 Taylor recommends a two-by-four or a four-by-four. — Helena Madden, Martha Stewart, 2 June 2026 Nichols armed himself with a two-by-four piece of lumber, climbed through a bathroom window and found Pulley alone in her bed. — Kirsten Fiscus, Nashville Tennessean, 11 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for two-by-four

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1884, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1897, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of two-by-four was in 1884

Rhymes for two-by-four

See All Rhymes for two-by-four

Browse Nearby Words

two-bottom plow
two-by-four
two-by-twice
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Cite this Entry

“Two-by-four.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/two-by-four. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

two-by-four

noun
ˌtü-bə-ˈfō(ə)r, 
-ˈfȯ(ə)r
: a piece of lumber sawed to approximately 2 by 4 inches (5 by 10 centimeters)
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