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baobab
noun
bao·bab
ˈbau̇-ˌbab
ˈbā-ə-ˌbab
: a broad-trunked tropical tree (Adansonia digitata) of the silk-cotton family that is native to Africa and has an edible acidic fruit resembling a gourd and bark used in making paper, cloth, and rope
also
: any of several related trees chiefly of Madagascar and Australia
Examples of baobab in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
These baobab seeds were likely transported across continents by the Indian Ocean gyre, a system of rotating currents in the Indian Ocean that circulate clockwise.
—Aaron Boorstein, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 May 2024
On this barren landscape roughly the size of Switzerland, there are no roads or human settlements—just an endless expanse of shimmering white, occasionally punctuated by an ancient baobab tree.
—Chris Schalkx, Vogue, 15 Mar. 2024
Decades of hard, often Sisyphean conservation work have succeeded in showing the resilience of the savanna’s low acacia and fever trees, thorny shrubs, and monumental ancient baobabs.
—Christopher Cameron, Robb Report, 28 Nov. 2023
The base of each had been scarred by hungry elephants, who crave the nutrients in the baobabs’ bark.
—Tayari Jones, Travel + Leisure, 26 July 2023
Avenue of the Baobabs, Madagascar On a dirt road near Madagascar's west coast is a stretch of enormous baobab trees, all that remains of a once-dense forest.
—Anne Olivia Bauso, Travel + Leisure, 20 Apr. 2023
Pack everything—food, water, gas, and camping equipment—and book a campsite under a baobab (from $14) through the Gaing O Community Trust, a group comprising members of the nearby Mmatshumo settlement who act as custodians of Kubu and make for expert hiking guides. —S.M.
—The Editors, Outside Online, 18 June 2021
Chamomile and baobab work together to create calming effects that can promote relaxation in dogs during periods of high stress.
—Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 9 Nov. 2022
One hundred and fifty thousand shoots of drought-resistant acacia, hardy baobab and Moringa spill out of their black plastic casings.
—Aryn Baker / Mbar Toubab, Time, 12 Sep. 2019
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'baobab.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
New Latin bahobab
First Known Use
1640, in the meaning defined above
Articles Related to baobab
Dictionary Entries Near baobab
Cite this Entry
“Baobab.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/baobab. Accessed 13 Jun. 2024.
Kids Definition
baobab
noun
bao·bab
ˈbau̇-ˌbab
ˈbā-ə-
: a tree native to Africa with a very wide trunk
Medical Definition
baobab
noun
bao·bab
ˈbau̇-ˌbab
ˈbā-ə-ˌbab
: a broad-trunked Old World tropical tree (Adansonia digitata) of the silk-cotton family (Bombacaceae) with an edible acid fruit resembling a gourd, leaves and bark formerly used medicinally, and bark that is used in making paper, cloth, and rope
More from Merriam-Webster on baobab
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about baobab
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