giant sequoia

[ jahy-uhnt si-kwaw-uh ]

noun

1. an endangered coniferous tree, Sequoiadendron giganteum (formerly Sequoia gigantea ), of coastal California with massive girth and tremendous height, one of three extant species of subfamily Sequoioideae: the largest in volume and among the oldest of all living things, giant sequoias have been known to exceed 52,000 cubic feet (1,472 cubic meters) in trunk size, 300 feet (91.5 meters) in height, and 3,200 years in age. Compare redwood ¹( def 1 ).General Grant tree ( def ), General Sherman tree ( def ).

Word History and Origins

Origin of giant sequoia¹

First recorded in 1930–35

Example Sentences

Honorable mention goes to the General Sherman Tree, a giant sequoia that’s one of the largest and oldest trees in the world.

From Los Angeles Times

It would be easier to count the leaves of the giant sequoia than list the contributions of the LGBTQ+ community to the American way of life.

From Los Angeles Times

Driving between Tacoma and Olympia on Interstate 5, Stielstra can point out the shape of giant sequoias, “upside down ice cream cones.”

From Seattle Times

The organization has planted trees in several parks in the Seattle area and has the ambitious goal of “bringing a million coast redwoods and giant sequoias to the Northwest,” according to its website.

From Seattle Times

Old-growth forests, such as the storied giant sequoia stands of northern California, have layer upon layer of undisturbed trees and vegetation.

From Washington Times