Definition of lumber

The origin of the word "lumber" can be traced back to the Old English word "hlomer," which referred to piles of building materials. Over time, the word evolved into the Middle English "lomge" and "lomber," which meant both "logs" and "building materials." During the Middle Ages, forests were used as a source of timber for constructing buildings, ships, and other necessities. Lumberjacks were employed to fell trees and transport the logs to the place of consumption. The act of purchasing or selling these wooden materials became known as "dealing in lumber." The English word "lumber" entered the American English lexicon in the 17th century, with the meaning of "building materials." In the early 19th century, the industry of lumber milling emerged, and the word "lumber" acquired the more specific connotation of wooden boards. Timber was then cut and hewn into boards, logs, planks, and other standard sizes, and these finished products were stored in "lumberyards." The meaning and usage of the word "lumber" have remained relatively consistent since then, with the exception of the modern-day distinction between "softwood" and "hardwood" lumber, and the rise of technological innovations that have transformed the lumber industry.