teak

[ teek ]

noun

1. a large East Indian tree, Tectona grandis, of the verbena family, yielding a hard, durable, resinous, yellowish-brown wood used for shipbuilding, making furniture, etc.
2. the wood of this tree.
3. any of various similar trees or woods.

teak

/ tiːk /

noun

1. a large verbenaceous tree, Tectona grandis, of the East Indies, having white flowers and yielding a valuable dense wood
2. the hard resinous yellowish-brown wood of this tree, used for furniture making, etc
3. any of various similar trees or their wood
4. a brown or yellowish-brown colour

Word History and Origins

Origin of teak¹

1665–75; earlier teke < Portuguese teca < Malayalam tēkka

Word History and Origins

Origin of teak¹

C17: from Portuguese teca, from Malayalam tēkka

Example Sentences

"Lots of the decking in still in place - teak decking," he said.

From BBC

During the Iron Age period, each of these up to several-meter-long coffins was crafted from a single teak tree and features refined carvings of geometric, animal- or human-like shapes at the handles of both ends.

From Science Daily

It was a square wooden box of teak, thick and well made, with beautiful lotus carvings on the top.

From Literature

In comparison, carbon-capture plantations are usually monocultures and are dominated globally by just five tree species -- teak, mahogany, cedar, silk oak, and black wattle -- that are grown for timber, pulp, or agroforestry.

From Science Daily

"I don't know," he says, as he looks down at the gleaming, teak deck.

From BBC