The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Liriodendron \Lir`i*o*den"dron\
   (l[i^]r`[i^]*[-o]*d[e^]n"dr[o^]n), n.; pl. Liriodendra
   (-dr[.a]). [NL., fr. Gr. lei`rion lily + de`ndron tree.]
   (Bot.)
   A genus of large and very beautiful trees of North America,
   having smooth, shining leaves, and handsome, tuliplike
   flowers; tulip tree; whitewood; -- called also canoewood.
   Liriodendron tulipifera is the only extant species, but
   there were several others in the Cretaceous epoch.
   [1913 Webster]

The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Tulip \Tu"lip\ (t[=u]"l[i^]p), n. [F. tulipe, OF. also tulipan,
   It. tulipano, tulipa, from Turk. tulbend, dulbend, literally,
   a turban, Per. dulband; -- so called from the resemblance of
   the form of this flower to a turban. See Turban.] (Bot.)
   Any plant of the liliaceous genus Tulipa. Many varieties
   are cultivated for their beautiful, often variegated flowers.
   [1913 Webster]

   Tulip tree.
   (a) A large American tree (Liriodendron tulipifera) of the
       magnolia family (Magnoliaceae) bearing tuliplike
       flowers. See Liriodendron.
   (b) A West Indian malvaceous tree (Paritium tiliaceum syn.
       Hibiscus tiliaceum).
       [1913 Webster + PJC]

The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Whitewood \White"wood`\, n.
   The soft and easily-worked wood of the tulip tree
   (Liriodendron tulipifera). It is much used in cabinetwork,
   carriage building, etc.
   [1913 Webster]

   Note: Several other kinds of light-colored wood are called
         whitewood in various countries, as the wood of
         Bignonia leucoxylon in the West Indies, of
         Pittosporum bicolor in Tasmania, etc.
         [1913 Webster]

   Whitewood bark. See the Note under Canella.
      [1913 Webster]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

Liriodendron tulipifera
    n 1: tall North American deciduous timber tree having large
         tulip-shaped greenish yellow flowers and conelike fruit;
         yields soft white woods used especially for cabinet work
         [syn: tulip tree, tulip poplar, yellow poplar,
         canary whitewood, Liriodendron tulipifera]