1
a
: any of a genus (Taxus of the family Taxaceae, the yew family) of evergreen gymnospermous trees and shrubs with stiff linear leaves and seeds surrounded by a fleshy red aril: such as
(1)
: a long-lived Eurasian tree or shrub (T. baccata)

called also English yew

(2)
: a low straggling bush (T. canadensis) of the eastern U.S. and Canada
(3)
b
: the wood of a yew
especially : the heavy fine-grained wood of the English yew
2
archaic : an archery bow made of yew

Illustration of yew

Illustration of yew
  • yew 1a

Examples of yew in a Sentence

a bow made of yew
Recent Examples on the Web Some unusual trees include the Chinese fringe tree, Chinese pistachio and Japanese plum yew. Charlotte Observer, 31 Jan. 2024 The crow is on a branch of the yew tree, cocking its head and holding something on one side of its beak, as if to peer at it with the left eye. Anne Carson, The New Yorker, 22 Jan. 2024 The church tower came into view and Mr. O’Shea turned in to a churchyard bordered by cypress and yew trees. Mary Costello, The New Yorker, 9 Oct. 2023 However, the best-selling cancer drug of all time, Taxol, is a natural product made from yew tree extract. Jon Stojan, USA TODAY, 29 Aug. 2023 It is thought that the yew was used to create longbows for his royal archers in the lead-up to the Battle of Bannockburn. Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 7 June 2023 The cherry laurels look great, but the Japanese yews are struggling. Neil Sperry, San Antonio Express-News, 14 Apr. 2023 The best woods include osage, Oregon yew, white ash, Southern red cedar, black walnut, black locust, apple, and mulberry. Keith McCafferty, Field & Stream, 29 June 2023 The 800 or so yew trees were reportedly planted in the 14th century at the request of Robert the Bruce. Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 7 June 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'yew.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English ew, from Old English īw; akin to Old High German īwa yew, Middle Irish

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of yew was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near yew

Cite this Entry

“Yew.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/yew. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

yew

noun
1
: any of a genus of evergreen trees and shrubs that are gymnosperms with short stiff flattened needlelike leaves and seeds having a red juicy covering
2
: the wood of a yew
especially : the heavy fine-grained wood of an Old World yew that is used especially for bows and small articles

Medical Definition

yew

noun
: any of a genus (Taxus of the family Taxaceae, the yew family) of evergreen trees and shrubs with stiff linear leaves and seeds surrounded by a fleshy red aril
especially : one (T. brevifolia) of the Pacific coast of the United States and Canada whose bark yields the antineoplastic drug paclitaxel

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