meranti, any of several species of Shorea, the most important timber genus in tropical Asia, of the family Dipterocarpaceae. Meranti is an important emergent tree of the tropical forests of Asia. The wood is light to medium weight, and widely used for light construction and more importantly for veneers. Many other forest products are derived from meranti, including oils, resins known as dammar in the manufacture of varnishes, and fruits that are roasted or used as a substitute for cocoa butter and in cosmetics, soaps, and candles. Meranti is classified in the division Magnoliophyta, class Magnoliopsida, order Theales, family Dipterocarpaceae.