# cedar

/ˈsidɝ/ (US) · /sˈiːdɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/cedar
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. the tree

noun · CEFR B2

a large evergreen tree with needles that stays green all year and often has a pleasant smell.

For teachers: a coniferous evergreen tree of the genus Cedrus or similar genera in the Cupressaceae family, characterized by wide-spreading branches.

- The old cedar in the garden provided plenty of shade during the summer.
- The hillside was densely populated with ancient cedars, their distinctive silhouettes standing out against the clear mountain sky.

### 2. the wood

noun · CEFR B2

the reddish, sweet-smelling wood from a cedar tree, often used to make chests or closets.

For teachers: the aromatic, decay-resistant reddish wood of a cedar tree, frequently utilized in construction and cabinetry. Uncountable when referring to the material.

- She kept her winter sweaters in a cedar chest to protect them from moths.
- The architect specified cedar for the exterior cladding due to its natural resistance to moisture and insect damage.

### 3. programming language

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

a specific computer programming language created in the 1980s.

For teachers: A high-level programming language developed at Xerox PARC as a successor to Mesa, incorporating garbage collection and other advanced features.

- The researchers developed the new operating system using the Cedar language.
- Cedar was influential in the development of integrated development environments, though it never achieved widespread commercial adoption outside of research institutions.

## Examples

- The old chest is made of solid cedar.
- We planted a row of cedar trees along the fence to create a natural privacy screen.
- The distinct, resinous scent of cedar filled the workshop as the carpenter planed the boards for the new wardrobe.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.