Timber
/ˈtɪmbər/
nounA2
Definition
Timber is wood that people cut from trees to use for building houses, making furniture, or other wooden objects. It is usually in the form of large pieces like boards or beams, not small sticks or paper.
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See It in Action
Wood prepared for building or making furniture
- •The carpenter bought high-quality timber for the new table.
- •The house frame was made from strong timber.
- •Timber is an important material in the construction industry.
Trees grown for wood production
- •The forest has many trees planted for timber.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "timber" like "wood," but timber is wood ready to use for building or making things.
- ✓Picture big, strong wooden boards stacked in a workshop or used to build a house frame.
- ✓It feels solid and natural, like the wooden floor or a wooden table you can touch.
- ✓Sounds like "TIM-ber" → imagine a tree being cut down with a loud "Timber!" shout, ready to be made into useful wood.
- ✓Remember the phrase "Timber!" shouted when a tree falls in a forest—this wood will become timber for building.
- ✓NOT like "tree" (still growing, natural), timber is wood after cutting and preparing.
- ✓NOT like "paper" (thin, soft wood product), timber is thick and strong wood for construction.
- ✓NOT like "firewood" (wood used for burning), timber is wood for building and making things.
Try Other Words
- •Lumber: wood prepared for building (Use in American English, especially for cut wood ready for construction)
- •Planks: flat, thin pieces of timber (Use when referring to specific shapes of timber)
- •Wood: natural material from trees (Use when talking about wood in general, not specifically prepared for building)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: (no prefix or suffix) — simple root word "timber"
- •Etymology: From Old English "timber," meaning building material or wood
- •Historical development: Used for centuries to mean wood for building and construction
- •Modern usage: Commonly used in construction, woodworking, and forestry to describe wood ready for use
Reflect & Connect
•How does timber differ from other types of wood products like paper or firewood in your country?
•Can you think of buildings or objects around you that are made from timber? How does timber affect their strength and appearance?
Fill in the blanks
1.The carpenter chose strong timber ___ building the new chair.
2.Timber is different from firewood because it is used to ___ things, not to burn.
3.When a tree falls with a shout of "Timber!", it means the wood will be ___ for construction.
4.Unlike small branches, timber is cut into large pieces like ___ or beams.
5.Timber is often used ___ making furniture and houses.
6.The forest was planted to grow timber ___ the future.
7.You can tell timber is ready to use because it is ___ and cut into boards or logs.