woodwork

noun

wood·​work ˈwu̇d-ˌwərk How to pronounce woodwork (audio)
1
: work made of wood
especially : interior fittings (such as moldings or stairways) of wood
2
: a place or state of concealment, seclusion, or anonymity
witnesses came out of the woodwork when a reward was offered

Examples of woodwork in a Sentence

We painted the walls white and the woodwork red. The kick hit the woodwork.
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.
The spaces are very welcoming and functional, and their original moldings, balconies, woodwork, and structural elements have been restored and integrated with a modern touch. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 Oct. 2026 But the trolls really come out of the woodwork when that hunter happens to be a country music star. — Amber Harding Outkick, FOXNews.com, 19 Oct. 2026 The apartment was run down with bad carpeting and layer upon layer of white paint on the original dark woodwork. — Wendy Goodman, Curbed, 17 Oct. 2026 Just this week, luminaries like Neil Young and Hideo Kojima came out of the woodwork to proclaim the film a misunderstood masterpiece. — Nate Jones, Vulture, 16 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for woodwork

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1609, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of woodwork was circa 1609

Phrases Containing woodwork

Rhymes for woodwork

See All Rhymes for woodwork

Browse Nearby Words

wood-wool
woodwork
woodworker
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Woodwork.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/woodwork. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

woodwork

noun
wood·​work -ˌwərk How to pronounce woodwork (audio)
: work made of wood
especially : interior fittings (as window frames or stairways) of wood
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