redwood

¹ American  

[red-wood] / ˈrɛdˌwʊd /

noun

1. any of the three extant tree species of the coniferous subfamily Sequoioideae, specifically the giant sequoia, coast redwood, and dawn redwood.

2. the valuable brownish-red timber of the coast redwood or giant sequoia, the harvesting of which is strictly regulated.

3. a red or reddish wood.

4. any of various trees yielding a red or reddish wood.

5. any tree whose wood produces a red dyestuff.

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adjective

1. made of red or reddish wood, especially that of the coast redwood or giant sequoia, the harvesting of which is strictly regulated.

   a six-piece set of redwood furniture for the patio.

redwood ² American  

[red-wood] / ˈrɛdˌwʊd /

Or redwud

adjective

Scot.

1. raving mad; insane.

2. distracted with anger; furious.

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redwood British  

/ ˈrɛdˌwʊd /

noun

1. a giant coniferous tree, Sequoia sempervirens , of coastal regions of California, having reddish fibrous bark and durable timber: family Taxodiaceae . The largest specimen is over 120 metres (360 feet) tall See also sequoia

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Etymology

Origin of redwood¹

First recorded in 1610–20; red ¹ + wood ¹

Origin of redwood²

First recorded in 1550–60; red ¹ + wood ²

Example Sentences

The Botanical Gardens, a redwood grove, pickleball courts and a panoramic view of the city are an easy bike ride from home.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 6, 2026

Stolz’s redwood thighs have been punishing the field in Milan, shattering Olympic records and Dutch dreams.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 16, 2026

“The fun thing about this leaf is it grows in a redwood forest,” he tells them.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 30, 2025

Many trees on the list already grow naturally here but some come from warmer or drier regions like the Corsican pine from the Mediterranean or the coast redwood from North America.

From BBC • Oct. 19, 2025

He pulled her to the trunk of the huge redwood tree that had uprooted.

From "Earthquake Terror" by Peg Kehret