teak

noun

ˈtēk How to pronounce teak (audio)
1
: a tall tropical Asian timber tree (Tectona grandis) of the mint family
2
: the hard yellowish-brown wood of teak used especially for furniture and shipbuilding

Examples of teak in a Sentence

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.
Rooms with high ceilings have Burmese teak and rosewood furnishings - and the on-site dining can't be beat. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Oct. 2026 Functional and elegant, this teak model makes the case for leaning into a more rustic bathroom aesthetic. — Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 6 Oct. 2026 The roll-down blinds are also made from matching wool felt, while the floor benefits from boat deck-style teak planks. — New Atlas, 26 Sep. 2026 Beneath it, museumgoers line up to drop a ball into a teak ramp that descends down the length of the Guggenheim spiral. — Emily Witt, New Yorker, 26 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for teak

Word History

Etymology

Portuguese teca, from Malayalam tēkka

First Known Use

1698, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of teak was in 1698

Rhymes for teak

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Browse Nearby Words

teaing
teak
teakettle
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Cite this Entry

“Teak.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/teak. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

teak

noun
ˈtēk How to pronounce teak (audio)
1
: a tall timber tree of southeastern Asia
2
: the hard durable yellowish brown wood of a teak

called also teak*wood\ ˈtē-​ˌkwu̇d \

More from Merriam-Webster on teak

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about teak

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