camel

noun

cam·​el ˈka-məl 

plural camels

1

: either of two large ruminant (see ruminant entry 1) mammals (genus Camelus) that have one or two large humps of stored fat on the back and are used as draft and saddle animals in desert regions especially of Africa and Asia:

a

: the one-humped camel (C. dromedarius) extant only as a domestic or feral animal : dromedary

b

: the 2-humped camel (C. bactrianus synonym C. ferus) of desert and steppe regions of northwestern China and southwestern Mongolia : bactrian camel

2

: a watertight structure used especially to lift submerged ships

3

: a light yellowish brown

4

a

: camel hair sense 2

"… So we're going to look for more luxury fabrics—cashmere, camel, alpaca and … lambswools."

—Paul Diamond

—usually used before another noun

a genuine camel coat

b

: leather made from the skin of a camel

They all have four-digit price tags and are crafted from luxe leathers like buffalo, calfskin and camel.

—Georgina Safe

—usually used before another noun

camel leather

Illustration of camel

• 1 dromedary
• 2 Bactrian camel

Examples of camel in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

But a pocket-size notebook at the Wellcome Collection, long claimed to have been bound in the skin of Crispus Attucks, a mixed-race Black and Native man recognized as the first person to die for American independence, is likely bound in camel, horse or goat skin, according to the museum. —Julia Jacobs, New York Times, 19 Apr. 2024

Watch:Zebras, camels, pony graze Indiana highway after being rescued from semi-truck fire Viola the elephant was recaptured unharmed, reports say Butte is a town in southwestern Montana about 85 miles from Bozeman and 170 miles north of Yellowstone National Park. —Emily Deletter, USA TODAY, 17 Apr. 2024

The metal keyring and clip are made from nickel, which is a nice complement to the colors offered, including navy blue, cognac, and camel. —Lauren Finney Harden, Southern Living, 15 Apr. 2024

Some 15 million election workers will be deployed, traveling via road, boat, camel, train and helicopter to reach every Indian voter. —Helen Regan, CNN, 12 Apr. 2024

Here is a list of things Meghan Markle likes: camel coats, beige knitwear, cream trouser suits, khaki pencil skirts and tan court shoes. —Daniel Rodgers, Vogue, 4 Apr. 2024

Share [Findings] Researchers who wear orange catch more anoles, and Australia began culling thousands of camels with helicopter snipers. —Rafil Kroll-Zaidi, Harper's Magazine, 27 Mar. 2024

As the video progressed, Travis showcased clips of them growing older and dancing inside a locker room, riding a camel, showing off Halloween costumes, and swimming laps inside a pool. —Ingrid Vasquez, Peoplemag, 11 Apr. 2024

The last year has been filled with travel for our adventurous readers, who have road-tripped through Tuscany, ridden camels in the Sahara and toured some of India’s most spectacular landmarks. —Jackie Burrell, The Mercury News, 1 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English & Anglo-French, from Latin camelus, from Greek kamēlos, of Semitic origin; akin to Hebrew gāmāl camel

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing camel

• Bactrian camel
• camel hair
• camel's hair
• the straw that breaks/broke the camel's back

Kids Definition

camel

noun

cam·​el ˈkam-əl 

: either of two large cud-chewing mammals used for carrying burdens and for riding in desert regions especially of Africa and Asia:

a

: dromedary

b

: a two-humped camel of central Asia

called also Bactrian camel