# pine

/ˈpaɪn/ (US) · /pˈaɪn/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/pine
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. the tree

noun · CEFR B1

an evergreen tree with long needles and cones instead of leaves.

For teachers: any coniferous tree of the genus Pinus, characterised by needle-shaped leaves and seed-bearing cones.

- The air in the mountains smelled strongly of pine and fresh rain.
- The hillside was densely forested with ancient pines that provided a natural windbreak for the small village nestled in the valley below.

### 2. the wood

noun · CEFR B1

the pale wood from a pine tree, often used for making furniture.

For teachers: the wood of the pine tree, typically used in construction and furniture making for its durability and straight grain.

- We bought a simple pine table for the kitchen.
- The carpenter recommended untreated pine for the interior shelving, noting its affordability and the ease with which it could be stained to match the existing decor.

### 3. sports bench

noun · CEFR C1 · Informal · American English

the bench where players sit when they are not active in a game.

For teachers: the seating area for substitute players or those not currently participating in play.

- The star player spent the entire second half riding the pine after his injury.
- After a series of defensive errors, the coach decided the rookie would be better off riding the pine for the remainder of the tournament.

### 4. to yearn for

verb · CEFR B2 · Literary

to miss someone or something so much that you feel unhappy or sick.

For teachers: to suffer a mental or physical decline because of a broken heart or intense longing for something unattainable.

- The dog would pine for his owner every time she went away on a trip.
- In the classic novel, the protagonist begins to pine for her lost home, eventually falling ill from the sheer weight of her nostalgia.

Usage: usually followed by the preposition 'for'

## Examples

- The air smells like fresh pine after the rain.
- We decided to hike through the pine forest to reach the mountain peak before sunset.
- The furniture is crafted from solid pine, which provides a rustic aesthetic but remains susceptible to dents due to the wood's relatively soft composition.

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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.