noun
Uncommon
lumber
LUHM-buh
Lumber (noun) means Wood that has been sawn into boards or planks for building. Example: “The yard sells lumber for decking and fencing.”
noun
1
Wood that has been sawn into boards or planks for building.
"The yard sells lumber for decking and fencing."
"We bought some lumber from the builders' merchant to make a bookshelf."
"The shed's frame is made of rough lumber, cut and nailed together over a weekend."
2
Old furniture or unwanted items taking up space.
"The attic was full of lumber nobody had touched in years."
"We cleared out all the old lumber from the garage and took it to the tip."
"Their spare room had become a dumping ground for lumber and broken chairs."
verb
1
To move in a slow, heavy, clumsy way.
"The bear lumbered across the clearing towards the river."
"After a long day, the tired hikers lumbered up the hill to the cabin."
"A huge lorry lumbered round the corner and blocked the narrow lane."
2
To burden someone with an unwanted task.
"She got lumbered with organising the entire event on her own."
"I always seem to get lumbered with the washing-up after family dinners."
"Don't let them lumber you with their boring paperwork again."
How to use lumber
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither sawn wood used for building, or the act of moving heavily and clumsily, or (informally) being stuck with a job you didn't want.
UK vs US
American English uses "lumber" for building wood; British English tends to say "timber" for the same material.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
lumber mill
lumber yard
lumber along
get lumbered with
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Word forms
- Plural
- lumbers
- Third person singular
- lumbers
- Past tense
- lumbered
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The yard sells _____ for decking and fencing.
Etymology
Origin uncertain; the "useless stored objects" sense came first, and is possibly linked to Lombard pawnbrokers, whose shops were once cluttered storerooms of pledged goods.
Related words
Rhymes for lumber
See all rhymes for lumber →Frequently asked questions
What does “lumber” mean?
The word “lumber” means wood that has been sawn into boards or planks for building. In plain terms, either sawn wood used for building, or the act of moving heavily and clumsily, or (informally) being stuck with a job you didn't want.
How do you pronounce “lumber”?
“Lumber” is pronounced LUHM-buh (/ˈlʌm.bɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “lumber” in a sentence?
Here is “lumber” used in a sentence: “The yard sells lumber for decking and fencing.”
What is another word for “lumber”?
Words with a similar meaning to “lumber” include timber and wood.
What part of speech is “lumber”?
Depending on how it is used, “lumber” can be a noun and a verb.
Is “lumber” a common word?
“Lumber” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “lumber” have?
“Lumber” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: wood that has been sawn into boards or planks for building.
What is the difference between "lumber" and "timber"?
"Lumber" and "timber" both refer to wood used for building, but "lumber" is the term more commonly used in American English for wood sawn into boards or planks, while British English tends to use "timber" for the same material. In British English, "lumber" more often refers to old furniture or unwanted items.
What does it mean to "lumber someone with" a task?
To "lumber" someone with a task means to burden them with something unwanted, often a responsibility they did not ask for. This verb use is distinct from the noun sense referring to wood or old furniture.
What does it mean when someone "lumbers" across a room?
When used this way, "lumber" describes moving in a slow, heavy, and clumsy manner, often suggesting size or fatigue. It is used for both people and large animals.
