rhizoverbBeta
DictionarycordFirewood measure
noun

cord

A unit of stacked firewood volume equal to 128 cubic feet.

We order a cord of firewood to heat the cabin.

Etymology
cordLatinstring

Latin chorda named a string. The firewood unit arose from measuring a woodpile with a cord, turning the measuring tool’s name into a name for the quantity measured.

More examples

  • A cord of stacked firewood measures four feet by four feet by eight feet.
  • The supplier sells firewood by the cord.
  • We burn about three cords of oak each winter.

Forms

cord · cords

cordwood noun — Wood cut into lengths for fuel.