noun
nato
noun
1
A tropical tree in the genus Mora, native to parts of Southeast Asia and the Pacific.
"The furniture maker preferred nato for its warm reddish grain."
"Nato timber is often used as a cheaper substitute for mahogany."
2
The reddish-brown wood harvested from the nato tree, used in furniture, plywood, and boat building.
"The cabinet was built entirely from nato plywood."
"Nato is popular with boat builders because it resists rot fairly well."
How to Use Nato
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA type of tropical tree, or the reddish wood it produces, often used as a budget alternative to mahogany.
Common mistake
Not to be confused with NATO (the military alliance), which is unrelated and always capitalized.
Common pairings
nato wood
nato plywood
nato timber
Word Forms
natos plural
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The furniture maker preferred _____ for its warm reddish grain.