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balsam fir
noun
: a resinous North American fir (Abies balsamea) that is widely used for pulpwood and as a Christmas tree and is the source of Canada balsam
Examples of balsam fir in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The Christmas tree has been a tradition for more than eight decades, after workers at the Rockefeller Center first pooled their money to by a 20-foot tall balsam fir in December 1931.
—Natalie Kainz, NBC News, 28 Nov. 2023
The farm sells a variety of trees: balsam fir, Canaan fir, Fraser fir, Korean fir, Siberian fir, white pine, Norway pine and Scotch pine.
—Mary Divine, Twin Cities, 5 Feb. 2024
Other customers will look for shorter trees to fit in smaller homes or apartments, or come in search of something with a stronger scent, such as a balsam fir.
—Praveena Somasundaram, Washington Post, 22 Dec. 2023
Scotch pine and balsam fir are regularly grown in the Great Lakes states.
—Discover Magazine, 9 Dec. 2023
Douglas firs grow primarily in the Western U.S. USDA
Scotch pine and balsam fir are regularly grown in the Great Lakes states.
—Curtis Vanderschaaf, CBS News, 5 Dec. 2023
The historic corridor running up Manhattan’s skirt is decked with balsam fir branches, weighted with tinsel, golden baubles, and pine cones.
—Abe Beame, Essence, 20 Dec. 2023
The aromatic blend of balsam fir and fresh pine smell like walking through a Christmas tree farm and, as a bonus, it’s made with natural essential oils and plant extracts, and a clean-burning soy wax.
—L. Daniela Alvarez, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Sep. 2023
Types of Christmas trees vary by region, from the noble fir that's native to the Pacific Northwest to the balsam fir trees that grow in New England and the Great Lakes region.
—Brittany Anas, House Beautiful, 2 Sep. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'balsam fir.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1805, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near balsam fir
Cite this Entry
“Balsam fir.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/balsam%20fir. Accessed 10 Jun. 2024.
Kids Definition
balsam fir
noun
: a North American fir tree widely used for pulpwood and as a Christmas tree
Medical Definition
balsam fir
noun
: a resinous American evergreen tree (Abies balsamea) that is widely used for pulpwood and as a Christmas tree and that is the source of Canada balsam
More from Merriam-Webster on balsam fir
Nglish: Translation of balsam fir for Spanish Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about balsam fir
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