cork oak

[ kawrk ohk ]

noun

1. an evergreen oak tree, Quercus suber, found especially in the western Mediterranean region: commercially significant as the source of cork.

cork oak

noun

1. an evergreen Mediterranean oak tree, Quercus suber, with a porous outer bark from which cork is obtained Also calledcork tree

Word History and Origins

Origin of cork oak¹

First recorded in 1870–75

Example Sentences

The pioneer of green architecture was fond of using cork oak for the flooring in his studio, home, and at his magnum opus, Fallingwater.

From Outside Online

Extracting the bark of a cork oak is an ancient practice of self-regeneration that enhances its ability to absorb carbon dioxide.

From Outside Online

The horse halted under the cork-oak, but the man did not dismount.

From Project Gutenberg

Other trees of southern France are the cork-oak and the Aleppo and maritime pines.

From Project Gutenberg

The cork-oak covers considerable tracts, but is less attended to than in Spain.

From Project Gutenberg

“This is about the only kind of a woods you can get through,” remarked Bob, his eyes on the numerous cork-oak trees.

From Project Gutenberg

No serranos stood in the low doorways of the cabanas or hovered about the cork-oak tree in the center of the barrio.

From Project Gutenberg