Yew meaning : A species of coniferous tree, Taxus baccata, with dark-green flat needle-like leaves and seeds bearing red arils, native to western, central and southern Europe, northwest Africa, northern Iran and southwest Asia. (by extension) Any tree or shrub of the genus Taxus. Other conifers resembling plants in genus Taxus The wood of the such trees. A bow for archery, made of yew wood. Made from the wood of the yew tree.