What does 'joinery' refer to in woodworking?

Joinery specifically refers to the techniques used to connect two or more pieces of wood in woodworking. This process is crucial in various furniture and structural projects, as it determines the strength, stability, and aesthetics of the final product. Joinery encompasses a variety of methods and joints, such as dovetail, mortise and tenon, and lap joints, each suited to different applications depending on the desired outcome and structural integrity.

The focus of joinery lies in how pieces of wood are assembled, which is essential for the functionality and durability of wooden items. More elaborate joinery techniques can also enhance the visual appeal of the piece, adding craftsmanship to the work.

The other choices describe different aspects of woodworking that do not pertain to the act of joining pieces together. Surface finishing refers to treatments applied to the wood's surface after construction, design approaches focus more on the visual or conceptual aspect rather than the physical connection, and cutting wood into specific shapes involves shaping rather than actually connecting pieces.