1. Plural of deadwood; dead or useless wood from a tree or forest.
Usage: Literal sense referring to physical wood
2. Plural of deadwood; people or things that are no longer useful or productive and should be removed.
Usage: Figurative sense; commonly used in business and organizational contexts
3. Nautical: the solid timber at the bow and stern of a ship below the waterline.
Usage: nautical; technical

Examples

• The forest floor was covered with deadwoods after the storm.
• The company decided to cut deadwoods from its payroll to improve efficiency.
• We need to clear the deadwoods from the garden before winter.
• Management identified several deadwoods in the department that were slowing progress.
• The shipbuilder reinforced the deadwoods to strengthen the vessel's structure.
• Removing deadwoods from the project team made it more agile and productive.