boxwood

American  

[boks-wood] / ˈbɒksˌwʊd /

noun

1. the hard, fine-grained, compact wood of the box shrub or tree, used for wood-engravers' blocks, musical instruments, etc.

2. the tree or shrub itself.

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boxwood British  

/ ˈbɒksˌwʊd /

noun

1. the hard close-grained yellow wood of the box tree, used to make tool handles, small turned or carved articles, etc

2. the box tree

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Etymology

Origin of boxwood

First recorded in 1645–55; box ³ + wood ¹

Example Sentences

Stewart recommended cactus, succulents and an evergreen shrub called an African boxwood.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 6, 2025

Of a photo in which a face pokes through a boxwood hedge, she pointed out, “That’s one of the goofy ones.”

From New York Times • Jan. 24, 2024

At its former headquarters in eastern Pennsylvania, Air Products had a neatly manicured lawn and boxwood hedges.

From New York Times • Jul. 4, 2023

Q: I have a boxwood that died recently.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 10, 2023

We just stand there and watch him hobble through the prickly boxwood bushes and disappear in the trees.

From "The Help" by Kathryn Stockett