woodwork

noun

wood·​work ˈwu̇d-ˌwərk How to pronounce woodwork (audio)
1
: work made of wood
especially : interior fittings (such as moldings or stairways) of wood
2
: a place or state of concealment, seclusion, or anonymity
witnesses came out of the woodwork when a reward was offered

Examples of woodwork in a Sentence

We painted the walls white and the woodwork red. The kick hit the woodwork.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
And to bring the hotel to life, Fontenille looked locally, tapping ateliers such as Leblond Père et Fils to place bespoke woodwork. — Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 4 Aug. 2026 Much of the original craftsmanship remains, from the fireplaces and ornate tile work to the woodwork and molding that first caught Hill’s attention. — Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 3 Aug. 2026 From the front porch, glass doors lead into a cozy reception area decked out with checkerboard-tile floors, warm tobacco-brown woodwork, and midcentury seating in shades of olive and blue. — Adam Erace, Travel + Leisure, 30 July 2026 Wherever Flock controversies bubble to the surface, police come out of the woodwork as the company’s most ardent defenders. — Joe Wilkins, Futurism, 30 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for woodwork

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1609, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of woodwork was circa 1609

Phrases Containing woodwork

Rhymes for woodwork

See All Rhymes for woodwork

Browse Nearby Words

wood-wool
woodwork
woodworker
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Woodwork.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/woodwork. Accessed 11 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

woodwork

noun
wood·​work -ˌwərk How to pronounce woodwork (audio)
: work made of wood
especially : interior fittings (as window frames or stairways) of wood
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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