ponderosa pine

noun

pon·​der·​o·​sa pine ˌpän-də-ˈrō-sə- How to pronounce ponderosa pine (audio)
-zə-
: a tall pine (Pinus ponderosa) of western North America with long needles usually in groups of two or three
also : its strong reddish straight-grained wood

Examples of ponderosa pine in a Sentence

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.
And scientists say those fires are hotter than ever, as heavy fuels like Douglas firs and ponderosa pines lose moisture in the warming climate. — Abe Streep, ProPublica, 21 Oct. 2026 Inside the greenhouses, staff are growing a variety of tree species, including ponderosa pine. — Dillon Thomas, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026 Abutting old-growth ponderosa pines, the 2-acre property has a patio, yards, and landscaping. — The Week Us, TheWeek, 14 Oct. 2026 McMillan, who today is the only fire mitigation specialist for a homeowner’s association in the West, is using his experience to encourage residents in Ken-Caryl Ranch, a 4,400-home Denver subdivision, to protect their ponderosa pines. — Jennifer Oldham, Denver Post, 8 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for ponderosa pine

Word History

Etymology

New Latin ponderosa, specific epithet of Pinus ponderosa, from Latin, feminine of ponderosus ponderous

First Known Use

1878, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of ponderosa pine was in 1878

Rhymes for ponderosa pine

See All Rhymes for ponderosa pine

Browse Nearby Words

ponderomotive
ponderosa pine
ponderosity
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Cite this Entry

“Ponderosa pine.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ponderosa%20pine. Accessed 22 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

ponderosa pine

noun
pon·​der·​o·​sa pine ˌpän-də-ˌrō- sə- How to pronounce ponderosa pine (audio)
-zə-
: a tall timber pine of western North America with long needles in groups of 2 or 3
also : its strong reddish straight-grained wood

More from Merriam-Webster on ponderosa pine

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about ponderosa pine

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