conifer
noun
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Any of an order of trees and shrubs, conifers usually have usually needle-shaped or scale-like leaves. Conifers include forms (such as pines) with true cones and others (such as yews) that bear a fruit. There are more than 550 species of conifers, and most are evergreen trees and shrubs. They grow throughout the world (except in Antarctica) and prefer temperate climate zones. They include the world's smallest and tallest trees. Conifers supply softwood timber used for general construction, boxes and crates, and other articles, as well as pulpwood for paper. The wood is also used as fuel and in the manufacture of cellulose products, plywood, and veneers. The trees are the source of resins, oils, turpentine, tars, and pharmaceuticals.
Examples of conifer in a Sentence
Francisca Oboh Ikuenobe, The Conversation, 20 May 2025
Nestled in the Sierra Nevada foothills, this park is home to two stunning groves of giant sequoias, surrounded by lush mixed conifer forests.
—Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 27 Apr. 2025
The massive conifers can grow to more than 300 feet tall with a more than 30-foot circumference at the base.
—Corey Williams, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2025
Thoughtful placement and layering with other plant types, such as ornamental grasses or conifers, can enhance privacy and maintain visual appeal throughout the year.
—Debbie Wolfe, Popular Science, 8 May 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Conifer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/conifer. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.
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