beech

noun

plural beeches or beech
: any of a genus (Fagus of the family Fagaceae, the beech family) of hardwood trees with smooth gray bark and small edible nuts
also : its wood
beechen adjective

Examples of beech in a Sentence

a box made of beech
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
As the oaks begin to dominate as the trail bottoms, tulip poplars become diminished, replaced by understory beech trees. Carl R. Gold, Baltimore Sun, 13 Jan. 2025 Nature trails traverse the acreage peppered with century-old sycamore, beech and linden trees. Mark David, Robb Report, 16 Oct. 2024 These non-native fungi, in turn, support the growth of non-native trees, which might outcompete native trees like the southern beech. Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 Jan. 2025 One scarred but still thriving beech’s diameter measured 37 inches. Carl R. Gold, Baltimore Sun, 13 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for beech 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English beche, from Old English bēce; akin to Old English bōc beech, Old High German buohha, Latin fagus, Greek phēgos oak

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of beech was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near beech

Cite this Entry

“Beech.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/beech. Accessed 8 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

beech

noun
plural beeches or beech
: any of a genus of trees with smooth gray bark and small edible nuts
also : its wood
beechen adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on beech

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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