red oak

noun

1. any of several oak trees, as Quercus rubra, or Q. falcata, of North America.
2. the hard, cross-grained wood of these trees.

red oak

noun

1. any of several deciduous oak trees, esp Quercus borealis , native to North America, having bristly leaves with triangular lobes and acorns with small cups
2. the hard cross-grained reddish wood of this tree

Word History and Origins

Origin of red oak¹

An Americanism dating back to 1625–35

Example Sentences

Storey and Holmes began to introduce red oak as an accent material, though the effect is still monochromatic.

From Los Angeles Times

It’s a medium-brown color that is extremely close to the red oak hardwood floors we had in the last home I built.

From Seattle Times

Pin cherry leaves turn purplish-red, red oaks change to brick, scarlet and rusty orange.

From Salon

Conversely, the U.S. native red oak has invaded parts of Europe, he said.

From Scientific American

The anthocyanin pigments that we perceive as red and purple in dogwoods, sumacs or red oaks, however, weren’t hiding.

From Seattle Times