Joshua tree

noun

: a tall branched arborescent yucca (Yucca brevifolia) of arid regions of the southwestern U.S. that has clustered greenish-white flowers

Illustration of Joshua tree

Illustration of joshua tree

Examples of Joshua tree in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
What’s worse: leveling a Joshua tree forest to build a solar farm or offering rooftop solar incentives that drive up electric rates for everyone else? Sammy Roth, Los Angeles Times, 8 Oct. 2024 Here in California, scientists used data from iNaturalist to track the impact that climate change is having on our beloved Joshua trees. Jaclyn Cosgrove, Los Angeles Times, 26 Sep. 2024 As crews chainsaw Joshua trees, Mojave Desert community protests solar energy project. Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 8 Sep. 2024 Climate & Environment Joshua trees bloom more often with climate change, study finds. Summer Lin, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for Joshua tree 

Word History

First Known Use

1884, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Joshua tree was in 1884

Dictionary Entries Near Joshua tree

Cite this Entry

“Joshua tree.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Joshua%20tree. Accessed 25 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

Joshua tree

noun
: a tall branched yucca of the southwestern U.S. with short leaves and clusters of greenish white flowers

More from Merriam-Webster on Joshua tree

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!