51Թ

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View synonyms for

timber

[ tim-ber ]

noun

  1. the wood of growing trees suitable for structural uses.
  2. growing trees themselves.
  3. wooded land.
  4. wood, especially when suitable or adapted for various building purposes.
  5. a single piece of wood forming part of a structure or the like:

    A timber fell from the roof.

  6. Nautical. (in a ship's frame) one of the curved pieces of wood that spring upward and outward from the keel; rib.
  7. personal character or quality:

    He's being talked up as presidential timber.

  8. Sports. a wooden hurdle, as a gate or fence, over which a horse must jump in equestrian sports.


verb (used with object)

  1. to furnish with timber.
  2. to support with timber.

verb (used without object)

  1. to fell timber, especially as an occupation.

interjection

  1. a lumberjack's call to warn those in the vicinity that a cut tree is about to fall to the ground.

timber

/ ˈɪə /

noun

    1. wood, esp when regarded as a construction material Usual US and Canadian wordlumber
    2. ( as modifier )

      a timber cottage

    1. trees collectively
    2. woodland
  1. a piece of wood used in a structure
  2. nautical a frame in a wooden vessel
  3. potential material, for a post, rank, etc

    he is managerial timber

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

  1. tr to provide with timbers
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

interjection

  1. a lumberjack's shouted warning when a tree is about to fall
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Other 51Թ Forms

  • پb· adjective
  • پb· adjective
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51Թ History and Origins

Origin of timber1

First recorded before 900; Middle English, Old English: originally, “house, building material, wood, trees”; cognate with German Zimmer “rǴdz,” Old Norse timbr “timber”; akin to Gothic timrjan “to build,” Greek é𾱲 “to build,” óDz “hdzܲ,” Latin domus “hdzܲ,” Slavic ( Polish ) dom, “house, home,” Sanskrit á- “house, building”; dome
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51Թ History and Origins

Origin of timber1

Old English; related to Old High German zimbar wood, Old Norse timbr timber, Latin domus house
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

On 1 March, Trump ordered an investigation into whether the US should place additional tariffs on most lumber and timber imports, regardless of their country of origin, or create incentives to boost domestic production.

From

In addition, scientific dating has confirmed that some of the earliest timbers in the building date from the early years of the reign of Elizabeth I.

From

For decades, the Forest Service adhered to a policy of total fire suppression to protect valuable timber harvests.

From

They supply the U.S. with food, medicine, cars, timber and electronics.

From

Biologists elsewhere conducted similar efforts on public lands to pave the way for commercial timber sales.

From

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More About Timber

What doestimber mean?

Timber refers to wood used for building materials.

Timber can be used to refer to wood at different stages of processing. Sometimes, it refers to the trees in a wooded area that will be cut for use. Other times, it means trees that have already been cut down but not yet processed into planks and other forms to build with. And other times it refers to the wood after it has been processed (a more common word for this is lumber).

Timber is most commonly used as a mass noun, meaning it is a singular noun that refers to multiple things and does not get pluralized.

Example: Those trucks are bringing freshly cut timber to the mill.

Where doesپcome from?

If you cut open the word timber and count the rings inside, you’ll find that it’s a very old word—it’s been in use since at least the 900s. It comes from an Old English word that originally meant “house” or “building material.” It is related to the Old Norse word timbr (which has the same meaning) and the Greek word demein (meaning “to build”).

Timber usually refers to wood for building materials, but its specific definition varies slightly from place to place. In the United States and Canada, timber is used to describe trees that have been cut down but haven’t yet been processed into planks or boards (which are called lumber). In the United Kingdom and Australia, timber is the word used for any wood that will be used in construction.

Of course, shouting timber! is also a fun way to warn people that a tree is falling or about to fall. It has been used this way since at least the 1910s.

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms of timber?

  • timbery (adjective)
  • timberless (adjective)

What are some synonyms for timber?

What are some words that share a root or word element with timber?

What are some words that often get used in discussing timber?

What are some words timber may be commonly confused with?

How istimber used in real life?

Timber is most commonly used in the context of forestry and logging, but its use varies depending on location. In all cases, it usually refers to wood that will be used for building material.

Try usingtimber!

Which of the following things can be called timber?

A. growing trees that have not been cut
B. logs that have not been processed into wood planks
C. wood planks
D. all of the above

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