hornbeam

[ hawrn-beem ]

noun

1. any North American shrub or tree belonging to the genus Carpinus, of the birch family, yielding a hard, heavy wood, as C. caroliniana American hornbeam.

hornbeam

/ ˈhɔːnˌbiːm /

noun

1. any tree of the betulaceous genus Carpinus, such as C. betulus of Europe and Asia, having smooth grey bark and hard white wood
2. the wood of any of these trees

Word History and Origins

Origin of hornbeam¹

First recorded in 1570–80; horn + beam

Word History and Origins

Origin of hornbeam¹

C14: from horn + beam , referring to its tough wood

Example Sentences

A selection of trees, including honey locust, English oak and hornbeam, will now be planted along South Quay.

From BBC

Oaks, hornbeams, limes, sycamore and other saplings are already in the ground, with the first phase of planting expected to be finished this month.

From BBC

Take the Hornbeam Trail, interspersed with the American hornbeam, a distinctive tree also called the musclewood — so named because the bark resembles rippling muscles.

From Washington Post

But there was rapid, smooth healing in such trees as hornbeam and Southern magnolia.

From Washington Post

The council said 23 trees - a mixture of elm, silver birch, aspen, hornbeam and oak trees - have been planted.

From BBC