camphor tree

noun

: a large Asian evergreen tree (Camphora officinarum) of the laurel family grown in warm regions

Examples of camphor 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.
Common culprits are menthol (a substance found in mint plants), camphor (a waxy substance from the camphor tree), benzocaine (commonly used as a pain reliever and often found in cough medicine) and beeswax. — Jacqueline Kilikita, refinery29.com, 2 Feb. 2024 Advertisement Basically, Solberg said, except for the creeping fig lacing the chimney and the giant camphor tree on the parkway in front, any plants in the ground of their new landscape are California native plants; others, like his succulents and dwarf lemon, are planted in pots. — Jeanette Marantos, Los Angeles Times, 15 Apr. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1607, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of camphor tree was in 1607

Rhymes for camphor tree

See All Rhymes for camphor tree

Browse Nearby Words

camphorsulfonic acid
camphor tree
camphor water
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Camphor tree.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/camphor%20tree. Accessed 30 Mar. 2025.

Copy Citation

Share

Kids Definition

camphor tree

noun
: a large Asian evergreen tree that is related to the laurels and is the source of camphor

Medical Definition

camphor tree

noun
: a large Asian evergreen tree of the genus Cinnamomum (C. camphora) that is grown in warm areas and has smooth branches and shining lanceolate leaves and from which camphor is obtained
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Words You Always Have to Look Up

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Top 10 Sophisticated Insults

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden

More Words with Remarkable Origins

Terroir, Oenophile, & Magnum: Ten Words About Wine

8 Words for Lesser-Known Musical Instruments
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)

Top 10 Sophisticated Insults

Flower Etymologies For Your Spring Garden
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Word Game Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
burrowing owl athene cunicularia tilts its head outside its burrow on marco island florida
Guess the Curious Origins of These Everyday Words Oh, that’s where that comes from…
See All