What does plywood mean?
Plywood is a manufactured sheet material formed by bonding together thin layers, or veneers, of wood. The grain of adjacent layers is commonly arranged in alternating directions, which increases the sheet's strength and resistance to warping while allowing it to be cut and shaped relatively easily. It is widely used for furniture, cabinetry, flooring, doors, shelving, packaging, and structural forms. The term can also refer to an individual sheet of the material. Plywood should not be confused with particleboard, which is made from compressed wood particles, or hardboard, which is made from densely compressed wood fibres. Although plywood is valued for its versatility, the performance of a particular product depends on the wood species, veneer quality, number and arrangement of layers, adhesive, and manufacturing standard.
nounA strong, lightweight construction material made by bonding together thin layers of wood, usually with the grain of adjacent layers running at right angles.
- A structural sheet made from several thin layers of wood bonded together.
"We built the storage cabinet from plywood because it is both sturdy and easy to cut."
"The carpenter covered the frame with plywood before attaching the decorative panels."
"Shipping crates made of plywood protected the equipment during the journey."
The plural is used when referring to multiple sheets or distinct products made from plywood.
"The offcuts and sheets of plywoods were stored in the workshop."
Plywood turns thin, inexpensive sheets of wood into a remarkably strong building material by arranging the grain in alternating layers.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does plywood come from?
The word 'plywood' was formed in the 19th century by combining 'ply', a thin layer or sheet of wood, with 'wood'. The word 'ply' had already been used for such layers before the compound became established. The material was developed as a practical way to create strong, workable sheets from relatively thin pieces of timber.
How plywood is actually used
The word is commonly used attributively, as in 'plywood panel' and 'plywood furniture'. It normally refers to sheet material rather than a solid piece of timber.
Easily confused with plywood
Plywood is made from bonded layers of wood veneer, whereas particleboard is made from compressed wood particles and wood fibres.
Plywood consists of distinct layers of wood veneer, while hardboard is formed by compressing wood fibres into a dense sheet.