1. a deciduous tree with hard, dense wood and smooth gray bark, belonging to the birch family

Examples

• The hornbeam tree provided excellent shade in the park.
• Hornbeam wood is prized for its strength and durability.
• The carpenter chose hornbeam for the tool handles because of its hardness.
• European hornbeam is commonly used in landscaping.
• The hornbeam’s leaves turn yellow in autumn.
• Ancient hornbeam forests once covered much of Europe.