camellia

noun

ca·​mel·​lia kə-ˈmēl-yə 

: any of a genus (Camellia) of shrubs or trees of the tea family

especially : an ornamental greenhouse shrub (C. japonica) with glossy leaves and roselike flowers

Examples of camellia in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Pruning time for azaleas and camellias is over; continue to prune gardenias and bougainvillea. 49. —Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 June 2025

Scales attack a variety of plants including woody ornamentals such as boxwoods, camellias and hollies, young trees such as maples, and houseplants. —Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 26 June 2025

Moore accessorized with peep-toe pumps, jeweled camellia earrings and a gray flap bag. —Hannah Malach, WWD, 2 Mar. 2025

Another scroll shows a man wearing a kimono covered with camellias, an allusion to John the Baptist’s beheading and martyrdom. —Foster Klug, Los Angeles Times, 4 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

New Latin Camellia, from Camellus (Georg Josef Kamel †1706 Moravian Jesuit missionary)

First Known Use

1751, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for camellia

• melia
• telia
• adelia
• borrelia
• lobelia
• syringomyelia

Kids Definition

camellia

noun

ca·​mel·​lia kə-ˈmēl-yə 

: a greenhouse shrub that is related to the tea plant and has glossy evergreen leaves and showy roselike flowers