two-by-four

1 of 2

noun

ˌtü-bī-ˈfȯr 

: a piece of lumber approximately 2 by 4 inches as sawed and usually 1 1/2 by 3 1/2 inches when dressed

two-by-four

2 of 2

adjective

1

: small or petty of its kind

… this house and its two-by-four garden …

—Philip Barry

2

: measuring two units (such as inches) by four

Examples of two-by-four in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

She had been beaten with a two-by-four and slashed with a knife, police said. — Shambhavi Rimal, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Oct. 2026

As the clash escalated, the victim was hit in the head with the two-by-four. — Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 8 Sep. 2026

Since just after its discovery, the hole has been secured by a makeshift covering of plywood and two-by-fours donated by Hartford Lumber Co. — Kenneth R. Gosselin, Hartford Courant, 5 July 2026

Taylor recommends a two-by-four or a four-by-four. — Helena Madden, Martha Stewart, 2 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1884, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1897, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for two-by-four

• albacore
• alongshore
• antiwar
• anymore
• carnivore
• commodore
• dinosaur
• evermore
• furthermore
• guarantor
• herbivore
• heretofore

Kids Definition

two-by-four

noun

ˌtü-bə-ˈfō(ə)r, 

-ˈfȯ(ə)r

: a piece of lumber sawed to approximately 2 by 4 inches (5 by 10 centimeters)