Meaning & Definition of word "Sawdust"

Sawdust

/ˈsɔːdʌst/

noun:

  • 1. Fine particles of wood produced by sawing or grinding.
    • Example: The workshop floor was covered in sawdust after a long day's work.
  • 2. A byproduct of woodworking, often used for various purposes.
    • Example: The sawmill sells sawdust to farmers for bedding their livestock.
  • 3. Used as a fuel or to absorb spills.
    • Example: They sprinkled sawdust on the oil spill to soak it up.
  • 4. In cooking, sometimes used as a flavoring agent for smoking food.
    • Example: The chef used applewood sawdust to enhance the flavor of the smoked ribs.

Etymology

The term 'sawdust' is a compound of 'saw' (the tool) + 'dust' (the fine particles).

Common Phrases and Expressions

sawdust trail:

A path of sawdust left by logging or woodworking activities.

sawdust and shavings:

A phrase referring to the byproducts of the woodworking industry.

Related Words

saw:

A tool used for cutting wood into pieces.

lumber:

Wood that has been processed into beams and planks.

Slang Meanings of sawdust

Meaning: Referring to something trivial or inconsequential.

Example Sentence: Don't worry about it; it's just sawdust.

Meaning: Used to describe a messy environment, especially involving woodworking.

Example Sentence: The workshop was full of sawdust; it looked like a lumberyard.