softwood

Etymology

soft + wood

noun

1. (countable, chiefly botany) The wood from any gymnosperm, without regard to how soft this wood is.
   SYP is a softwood, but it is harder than many hardwoods.
2. (countable, in more general use) Wood of this kind, but limited to those that are commercial timbers.
3. (countable, forestry) The tree or tree species that yields this wood.
   This softwood has been planted extensively throughout Scotland.
4. (uncountable) Any commercial timber.
   You should have used softwood for the frame of this shed, instead of overbuilding it like this.