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Definition of "conifer" [co•ni•fer]

  • Any of various mostly needle-leaved or scale-leaved, chiefly evergreen, cone-bearing gymnospermous trees or shrubs such as pines, spruces, and firs. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Use "conifer" in a sentence
  • "The term conifer means "cone bearing" and refers to the fruit of the tree."
  • "Originally classified as a conifer, scientists later argued that it was instead a lichen, various types of algae or a fungus."
  • "If a tree has cones on it, it's called a conifer and is probably an evergreen."