sawdust

noun

saw·​dust ˈsȯ-(ˌ)dəst How to pronounce sawdust (audio)
: fine particles (as of wood) made by a saw in cutting

Examples of sawdust in a Sentence

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Made from wood chips and sawdust bound with resin, particleboard can swell when exposed to moisture, while screws and bolts can loosen over time. — Rachel Silva, Martha Stewart, 14 Aug. 2026 Visible borer adults, pupae, or larvae, and sawdust-like borer frass can sometimes be spotted near affected trees or in the larval galleries beneath ash bark. — Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Aug. 2026 With sawdust on the asphalt and splintered wood on the hillside, one of the city’s most venerable trees was torn apart on Monday. — Thomas Lake, AJC.com, 4 Aug. 2026 Hang upside down to dry before cutting off the stalk and storing them in cardboard or wood boxes lined with newspaper, sawdust, vermiculite, wood shavings or peat moss. — Tim Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 11 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for sawdust

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1528, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sawdust was circa 1528

Rhymes for sawdust

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Browse Nearby Words

saw down
sawdust
sawdust trail
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sawdust.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sawdust. Accessed 19 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

sawdust

noun
saw·​dust ˈsȯd-(ˌ)əst How to pronounce sawdust (audio)
: tiny particles (as of wood) made by a saw in cutting

More from Merriam-Webster on sawdust

Nglish: Translation of sawdust for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about sawdust

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