balsa

noun

bal·​sa ˈbȯl-sə 

1

: a small raft or boat

specifically : one made of tightly bundled reeds and used on Lake Titicaca

2

: a tropical American tree (Ochroma pyramidale) of the silk-cotton family with extremely light strong wood used especially for floats

also : its wood

Examples of balsa in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This method was tested on different types of wood, including linden, alongside balsa, Bahia walnut, okoumé, and ash. — New Atlas, 30 Sep. 2026

For more than two decades, truck driver Joe Macken spent his free time building a massive scale model of his native New York City out of balsa wood and foam board. — CBS News, 18 Sep. 2026

That big grapnel’s not made of balsa wood. — Sean T. Collins, Vulture, 22 June 2026

In the early days of the club, pilots were still flying aircraft built from scratch or purchased as kits consisting of balsa wood, bamboo, and tissue paper, said Don Kurtz, 76, a former flight instructor who first joined the club in the 1970s. — Randy Tucker, USA Today, 15 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Spanish

First Known Use

1777, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for balsa

• khalsa
• salsa

Kids Definition

balsa

noun

bal·​sa ˈbȯl-sə 

1

: raft entry 1

especially : one made of two cylinders of metal or wood joined by a frame

2

: a tropical American tree with extremely light strong wood used especially for floats

also : its wood