fir

¹

[fur]

noun

1. any coniferous tree belonging to the genus Abies, of the pine family, characterized by its pyramidal style of growth, flat needles, and erect cones.

2. the wood of such a tree.

FIR

²

abbreviation

1. far-infrared radiation.

fir

/ fɜː /

noun

1. any pyramidal coniferous tree of the N temperate genus Abies , having single needle-like leaves and erect cones: family Pinaceae See also red fir silver fir balsam fir

2. any of various other trees of the family Pinaceae , such as the Douglas fir

3. the wood of any of these trees

Word History and Origins

Origin of fir¹

1250–1300; Middle English firre, Old English fyrh; cognate with Old Saxon furie; akin to Old English furh- (in fuhrwudu pine), Old Norse fura fir, Latin quercus oak (< *perkwu- )

Word History and Origins

Origin of fir¹

Old English furh ; related to Old Norse fura , Old High German foraha fir, Latin quercus oak

Example Sentences

The gentle slopes of Ukraine's Carpathian mountains, smothered in brilliant green spruce and fir trees, stretch into the distance.

From BBC

It was supported by more than 4,400 pilings — 70-foot Douglas fir beams driven about 20 feet into the ocean floor.

From Los Angeles Times

Up close and personal, the musk of the odor dissipated, and I breathed in the grounding spice of the cedar and the energizing citrus notes of the Douglas fir.

From Los Angeles Times

Exterior walls, built from Douglas fir, were freshly oiled and flammable.

From Los Angeles Times

Little said he sees a “tremendous increase” in demand for the varieties of Douglas fir wood that are typically used for homebuilding in California.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• cedar 
• pine