What does sequoia mean?
A sequoia is a giant evergreen conifer native to the Pacific coast region of California and nearby areas. The term includes the coast redwood and, in common usage, the giant sequoia, although modern botanical classification places them in separate genera. These trees are famous for their immense height, thick reddish or brown fibrous bark, and long life. Some giant sequoias exceed 3,000 years in age, while coast redwoods can grow taller than any other known tree. Sequoias occur in scattered groves, including the well-known Giant Forest of Sequoia National Park in California and other groves in the Sierra Nevada. The word is also the name of the genus containing the coast redwood, and the related common name “redwood” is often used for the same trees or for their timber. Beyond its biological significance, the sequoia has become an emblem of endurance, antiquity, and the natural grandeur of the American West.
nounA sequoia is a large evergreen coniferous tree of the redwood family, including the coast redwood and the giant sequoia. The giant sequoia is distinguished by its massive trunk, reddish-brown fibrous bark, and exceptionally great height and longevity.
- Any of the very large evergreen coniferous trees commonly called sequoias, especially the coast redwood or the giant sequoia.
"A narrow trail wound through a grove of towering sequoias, where sunlight filtered through their evergreen canopy."
"The park's tallest sequoia rises far above the surrounding forest."
"She studied the immense trunk of a giant sequoia while visiting the grove."
The regular plural adds -s; the name is often left unchanged when used attributively, as in “sequoia grove.”
"The researchers mapped the growth of several enormous sequoias."
Some giant sequoias are more than 3,000 years old, making them living links to the forests of ancient North America.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does sequoia come from?
The word “sequoia” comes from the name Sequoyah, the renowned Cherokee scholar, whose name was Latinized for botanical use. It was formed during the 19th century as a tribute to him and was applied to the newly recognized giant conifers of California. The name thus preserves a European botanical rendering of a Cherokee personal name rather than a descriptive English term.
How sequoia is actually used
In botanical usage, the distinction between coast redwood and giant sequoia can be important: the coast redwood belongs to the genus Sequoia, whereas the giant sequoia belongs to Sequoiadendron. In general English, “sequoia” is often used especially for the giant sequoia.
Easily confused with sequoia
Redwood commonly refers to the coast redwood, whose wood comes from the genus Sequoia, while giant sequoia normally refers specifically to the separate genus Sequoiadendron.