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

Some excellent options include bleeding hearts, azaleas, and camellias, all of which should be in bloom through April. —Ashley Chalmers, The Spruce, 3 Apr. 2026

For Diptqyue, camellia oil is the star ingredient, with hair mist alternatives for many of their most popular scents, including Fleur de Peau. —Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 2 Apr. 2026

Its nourishing formula blends the benefits of seven different oils, including golden Moroccan argan, olive, coconut, apricot, marula, jojoba, and camellia, for noticeably healthier hair. —Caley Sturgill, Southern Living, 1 Apr. 2026

Other common florist shrubs, such as camellia and gardenia, are species that are too tender to grow outdoors here. —Beth Botts, Chicago Tribune, 21 Mar. 2026

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