1
or kapok tree
: a massive tropical deciduous tree (Ceiba pentandra) of the mallow family that has a trunk with short, sharp prickles, a buttressed base, and porous lightweight wood and that bears large seedpods containing numerous silky fibers
2
: a mass of silky fibers that surrounds the seeds of the kapok tree and are used especially as a filling for mattresses, pillows, life preservers, and sleeping bags and as insulation
Examples of kapok in a Sentence
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Kapok: Originally from the kapok tree, the kapok used in pillows is a silky, cotton-like fiber known for being soft and luxurious.
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Emma Seymour, Good Housekeeping, 27 Feb. 2023
The beloved Avocado Organic pillow now comes in a 20-by-12-inch to-go size, with the same firm feel and organic kapok-fiber fill, plus an optional machine-washable cotton cover ($19).
—The Editors, Outside Online, 2 July 2022
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Emma Seymour, Good Housekeeping, 27 Feb. 2023
The beloved Avocado Organic pillow now comes in a 20-by-12-inch to-go size, with the same firm feel and organic kapok-fiber fill, plus an optional machine-washable cotton cover ($19).
—The Editors, Outside Online, 2 July 2022
Dictionary Entries Near kapok
Cite this Entry
“Kapok.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/kapok. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
kapok
noun
ka·pok
ˈkā-ˌpäk 
: a mass of silky fibers that cover the seeds of a large tropical tree and are used as a filling for mattresses, life preservers, and sleeping bags
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