# conifer

/ˈkɑnəfɝ/ (US) · /kənˈɪfɐ/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/conifer
Updated: 2026-10-19

## Definition

a type of tree that keeps its thin, needle-like leaves all year and makes cones holding its seeds. Pine, fir, and spruce are common kinds.

For teachers: any cone-bearing tree or shrub of the order Pinales, typically evergreen with needle-like or scale-like leaves. Includes pines, firs, spruces, and cypresses.

## Examples

- A pine is a common conifer in cold places.
- The garden has several conifers that stay green through winter and drop cones in autumn.
- Unlike broadleaf trees that shed leaves each autumn, most conifers retain their needles year-round, an adaptation that allows photosynthesis during brief winter thaws.

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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.