the older inactive central wood of a tree or woody plant; usually darker and denser than the surrounding sapwood
heartwood
How to use heartwood in a sentence. Example sentences and definitions for heartwood.
Editorial note
Non-heart or mixed heartwood/sapwood redwood can look like what is shown.
Quick take
the older inactive central wood of a tree or woody plant; usually darker and denser than the surrounding sapwood
Meaning at a glance
The clearest senses and uses of heartwood gathered in one view.
Definitions
Core meanings and parts of speech for heartwood.
noun
the older inactive central wood of a tree or woody plant; usually darker and denser than the surrounding sapwood
See also: duramen
Example sentences
Non-heart or mixed heartwood/sapwood redwood can look like what is shown.
The latter was used on the bow’s belly, which faced the archer, taking advantage of the fact that hard heartwood performs well under compression.
As the article explains, the longbow is composite, but made from a single piece of wood:"Figure 1 illustrates a yew trunk cross section and how a longbow stave was carved out of the tree to incorporate both its sapwood and heartwood components.
Frequently asked questions
Short answers drawn from the clearest meanings and examples for this word.
How do you use heartwood in a sentence?
Non-heart or mixed heartwood/sapwood redwood can look like what is shown.
What does heartwood mean?
the older inactive central wood of a tree or woody plant; usually darker and denser than the surrounding sapwood
What part of speech is heartwood?
heartwood is commonly used as noun.