acacia

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noun aca·cia \ ə-ˈkā-shə \

Definition of acacia

[Middle English acacia, acacie "astringent gum made from the juice of green plums or sloes," borrowed from Anglo-French & Medieval Latin; Anglo-French acasie, acacie "juice of plums or sloes," borrowed from Medieval Latin acacia, going back to Latin "gum arabic"]

:gum arabic

2 :any of a large genus (Acacia) of leguminous shrubs and trees of warm regions with leaves pinnate or reduced to phyllodes and white or yellow flower clusters

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Recent Examples of acacia from the Web

Sossusvlei Sossusvlei is Namibia’s most iconic tableau: an expansive white clay pan punctuated by stark black acacia trees and flanked by red sand dunes and a blazing blue sky in the background.

— karen loftus, Vogue, "Heading on Safari? Add a Visit to Namibia to Your Itinerary," 13 July 2017
Civil servants attached to the local government secretariat now work under an acacia tree just outside the ruins of their former offices.

— nelly ating, CNN, "They survived Boko Haram, now returnees are fighting hunger," 29 June 2017
There's also a 17-foot acacia wood table from Thailand.

— john petkovic, cleveland.com, "First look: Architectural Justice Gallery & Cafe brings taste of Europe to Strongsville (photos)," 23 June 2017
A few steps away is the crowning jewel — a stunning 9-foot dining table made from authentic acacia wood.

— chie davis, The Courier-Journal, "Couple renovates 1856 New Albany brewery to stunning 3-bed loft," 22 June 2017
Flowers are fleeting, so Grubb prefers plants like acacia and cotinus for their foliage.

— martha stewart, star-telegram.com, "Contain your love of green things with a plan for potted plants," 15 June 2017
Neat brick houses with flowering acacias out front are set among rolling fields of rapeseed and wheat.

— tibor krausz, The Christian Science Monitor, "He’s led a transformation among Roma villagers: crime down, productivity up," 18 May 2017
The next day, from his chair under an acacia tree, Alfred shouts his commands as his sons set up a tent.

— jerome delay, The Seattle Times, "‘I cannot go back’: South Sudan refugee clan begins new life," 27 Apr. 2017
Giraffes use their height to good advantage and browse on leaves and buds in treetops that few other animals can reach (acacias are a favorite).

— National Geographic, "April the Giraffe Gives Birth–6 Facts You May Not Know About Giraffes," 15 Apr. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'acacia.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of acacia

borrowed from New Latin, going back to Latin, "a species of Acacia, gum arabic," borrowed from Greek akakía "a plant of the Acacia genus (probably A. nilotica), acacia extract" of obscure origin

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First Known Use: 14th century

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ACACIA Defined for English Language Learners

acacia

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noun

Definition of acacia for English Language Learners

: a shrub or tree that grows in warm regions and that has white or yellow flowers

Medical Dictionary

acacia

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noun aca·cia \ ə-ˈkā-shə \

medical Definition of acacia

1 capitalized :a genus of woody leguminous plants of warm regions having pinnate leaves and white or yellow flower clusters — see catechu

2 :any of the genus Acacia of leguminous plants

3 :gum arabic

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acacia

Definition of acacia

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Origin and Etymology of acacia

ACACIA Defined for English Language Learners

acacia

Definition of acacia for English Language Learners

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acacia

medical Definition of acacia

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