What does sawhorse mean?
A sawhorse is a sturdy, usually portable frame used to support a length of timber while it is being cut with a saw. Its crossed or A-shaped legs distribute the load and keep the workpiece elevated at a convenient height. Beyond woodworking and construction, where it is a familiar practical tool, the word is sometimes used more loosely for an improvised bench or support. The compound combines “saw,” indicating its purpose, with “horse,” a traditional word for a frame or supporting structure. Compared with a general trestle, a sawhorse is specifically associated with supporting material for cutting. Although its name evokes an animal, the object has no moving parts: its value lies in stability, simplicity, and the ease with which it can be moved around a workshop.
nounA portable frame, usually with crossed legs, used to support timber while it is being sawn. Sawhorses are also used informally as improvised workbenches.
- A portable frame with crossed supports, used for holding timber while it is sawn.
"She rested the plank across two sawhorses while she cut it."
"The carpenter raised the long beam onto two sawhorses."
"In the workshop, we used a sawhorse as a temporary bench."
The usual plural, with the same spelling and the sound of a voiced z in the plural.
"The workshop was filled with sawhorses, timber, and tools."
A sawhorse is a wooden workhorse: no mane, no legs in motion, but plenty of strength to hold a plank steady.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does sawhorse come from?
The word is a compound formed from “saw” and “horse.” “Horse” was a traditional name for a supporting frame or trestle, while “saw” identifies the frame’s characteristic use in holding timber during sawing.
How sawhorse is actually used
The term is common in carpentry, woodworking, and construction. In informal contexts, it can also denote a rough temporary work surface.
Easily confused with sawhorse
A trestle is a general-purpose support frame, whereas a sawhorse is a type of frame intended primarily for supporting timber during sawing.