Definition

1. Noun:
   • A type of engineered wood: Plywood is a building material made by gluing together several thin sheets of wood, called veneers or plies, with the grain of adjacent layers arranged at right angles to each other. This cross-graining makes it strong and resistant to warping.

Usage

• Plywood is used as a structural material in construction, furniture making, and various crafts.
• It is often specified by its thickness, grade, and intended use (e.g., interior, exterior).
• Example: "We need a sheet of plywood to build the bookshelf."
• Example: "The subfloor was made from sturdy plywood."

Advanced Usage

• Marine plywood: A high-grade plywood treated to resist moisture and rot, used in boat building and outdoor applications.
• Aircraft plywood: A very strong, lightweight plywood made from specific hardwoods, historically used in aircraft construction.
• Baltic birch plywood: A high-quality plywood known for its many thin, void-free layers, popular in cabinetry and woodworking.

Variants and Related Words

• Ply (noun): One of the thin layers or sheets that are glued together to make plywood.
• Veneer (noun): A thin decorative layer of fine wood or other material applied to a core, often of plywood.
• Laminated wood: A broader category of engineered wood products that includes plywood, where layers are bonded together.

Synonyms

• Laminated board
• Composite wood
• Engineered wood panel

Related Phrases

• Sheet of plywood: The standard unit in which plywood is sold and handled.
• Plywood sheet: Another common way to refer to a single piece of plywood.
• Plywood panel: Often used interchangeably with "sheet," especially in construction contexts.

Noun

1. a laminate made of thin layers of wood