1
: any of a genus (Abies) of north temperate evergreen trees of the pine family that have flattish leaves, circular leaf scars, and erect female cones and are valued for their wood
also : any of various conifers (such as the Douglas fir) of other genera
2
: the wood of a fir

Examples of fir in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The slash piles that covered the old roadbed—fir and spruce saplings that Cahill had plucked like daisies with the Cat’s claw—would provide shade and cover for future grasses, wildflowers and shrubs. Ben Goldfarb, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 Feb. 2024 Her adorable purple tree featured more pastel beaded garland that wrap the vibrant faux fir. Antonia Debianchi, Peoplemag, 15 Dec. 2023 The drive to Treehouse Point, half an hour east of Seattle, takes you through a forest fit for hobbits, crowded full of fir, spruce, cedar, maple and hemlock. Christopher Reynolds, Los Angeles Times, 27 Feb. 2024 The farm sells a variety of trees: balsam fir, Canaan fir, Fraser fir, Korean fir, Siberian fir, white pine, Norway pine and Scotch pine. Mary Divine, Twin Cities, 5 Feb. 2024 Camp, fish or hike at a high mountain lake this summer Riggs Flat Lake sits at 8,600 feet, ringed by pine and fir trees on the shoulder of Mount Graham outside of Safford in southeastern Arizona. Roger Naylor, The Arizona Republic, 4 Jan. 2024 The difference is that this roiling of the elements is choreographed by humans taking ownership of the environment, rather like the fir trees felled in woodland adjacent to the quarry. Guy Lodge, Variety, 19 Feb. 2024 Featuring 24 holiday-scented steamers for an invigorating shower — including orange and clove, peppermint, rosemary and fir, and eucalyptus — this advent calendar is one of the best ones to gift yourself. Jessie Quinn, Peoplemag, 18 Nov. 2023 It’s got Siberian fir, rosemary, and lavender in it, among other delicious things. Kiana Murden, Vogue, 29 Dec. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'fir.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English fyrh; akin to Old High German forha fir, Latin quercus oak

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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

Dictionary Entries Near fir

Cite this Entry

“Fir.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fir. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

fir

noun
1
: any of various usually large evergreen trees related to the pines some of which yield useful lumber or resins
2
: the wood of a fir

Medical Definition

fir

noun
: any tree of the genus Abies see balsam fir

More from Merriam-Webster on fir

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