growth ring

noun

: a layer of wood (such as an annual ring) produced during a single period of growth

Examples of growth ring in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web By measuring growth rings on the fossils, the researchers found that they were closely clustered toward the outside of the bone. Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 4 Jan. 2024 The growth rings inside the bone from three specimens — including Jane and Petey — likewise suggest slowing growth rates. Asher Elbein, New York Times, 3 Jan. 2024 From analyzing growth rings found in the femur and tibia bones, the team concluded Jane was a juvenile T. rex, as a T. rex is full-grown at around 20 years old, according to the Cleveland Museum of Natural History. Elizabeth Gamillo, Discover Magazine, 5 Jan. 2024 The new results contradict findings published in Science in 2020 by paleontologist Holly Woodward of the University of Oklahoma, who used growth ring analyses to support the juvenile T. rex argument. Christian Thorsberg, Smithsonian Magazine, 3 Jan. 2024 Like tree trunks, the cross sections contained annual growth rings, which were deposited as the dinosaurs developed. Jack Tamisiea, Discover Magazine, 12 Dec. 2023 He’s been trying to date the floor by examining the construction methods used to build it, as well as the growth rings that can be seen in the surviving wood. Gretchen Smail, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 Oct. 2023 Tree trunks have growth rings; each concentric circle represents one year. Robin George Andrews, Scientific American, 27 Sep. 2023 After cutting the tree (preferably in winter when the sap flow is down), section a 4- to 6-foot length and scrape off the bark, taking care not to cut through the outer growth ring, which would create a weak spot where the bow can break. Keith McCafferty, Field & Stream, 29 June 2023

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

Word History

First Known Use

1907, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of growth ring was in 1907

Dictionary Entries Near growth ring

Cite this Entry

“Growth ring.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/growth%20ring. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

growth ring

noun
: a layer of wood (as an annual ring) produced during a single period of growth

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