timber

/ˈtɪmbər/ noun, verb

Origin

From Old English "timbor", meaning building material, related to German "Zimmer" (room) and Greek "demo" (to build)

Meanings

1. Wood prepared for use in construction or carpentry

   • "The house was built using local timber"
   • "They needed quality timber for the new deck"

2. Trees suitable for building purposes

   • "This forest contains valuable timber"

3. A wooden beam or board

   • "Support timbers were installed to prevent the mine shaft from collapsing"

4. Quality or character of voice or sound

   • "The deep timber of his voice was unmistakable"

Common Phrases

• "Timber!" (warning cry used when a tree is about to fall)
• "Timber rights" (legal rights to cut and remove trees)

Word Forms

• Adjective: timbered
• Compound: timber-framed, timber-line

Synonyms

• lumber (American English)
• wood
• logs
• boards
• planks

Memory Tricks

• Think "TIM-BUILD-er" - timber is what TIM uses to BUILD
• Remember the classic cry "TIMBER!" when a tree falls - it's going to become building material
• Think of a forest as a "standing timber yard"

Related Words

• forestry
• logging
• woodwork
• carpentry
• lumberjack