camas

noun

cam·​as ˈka-məs How to pronounce camas (audio)
variants or less commonly camass
ˈka-məs How to pronounce camas (audio)
or quamash
ˈkwä-mish How to pronounce camas (audio)
: any of a genus (Camassia and especially C. quamash) of plants of the lily family chiefly of the western U.S. with edible bulbs compare death camas

Examples of camas 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.
Nez Perce National Historical Park works with high school students to monitor the park's camas lilies. — Eva Lewandowski, Discover Magazine, 11 Aug. 2016 Native Americans built lives around fishing and the seasonal harvest of camas roots and huckleberries. — Kirk Johnson, New York Times, 21 Oct. 2022

Word History

Etymology

Nez Percé qémʼes, qémʼeš

First Known Use

1805, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of camas was in 1805

Phrases Containing camas

Rhymes for camas

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Browse Nearby Words

Camarillo
camas
camas rat
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Cite this Entry

“Camas.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/camas. Accessed 28 Mar. 2025.

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