balsam

bal·sam | \ ˈbȯl-səm

Definition of balsam

1a : an aromatic and usually oily and resinous substance flowing from various plants especially : any of several resinous substances containing benzoic or cinnamic acid and used especially in medicine

b : a preparation containing resinous substances and having a balsamic odor

2a : a balsam-yielding tree especially : balsam fir

b : impatiens especially : a common garden ornamental (Impatiens balsamina)

3 : balm sense 5

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Examples of balsam in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Earth smells and the pungency of privet and balsam were still acute at this hour, unmingled; the shadows were as bold as in a child’s picture book; swifts and house martins tracked across the pale sky overhead, shrilling in thrilled anticipation. — Tessa Hadley, The New Yorker, "The Bunty Club," 21 Oct. 2019 Evergreen needles are rich in antioxidants and vitamin C and some—such as spruce, eastern hemlock, balsam, and pine—can be steeped and sipped as a tea. — Michael Melford, National Geographic, "The secret to mindful travel? A walk in the woods," 18 Oct. 2019 Beneath the fancy exterior is a combination of powdery florals, like pink peppercorn, heliotrope, and balsam. — Maya Allen, Marie Claire, "Why Tom Ford's Métallique Fragrance Is Worth It," 28 Aug. 2019 Weeds that need attention: Butter and eggs, balsam or poor man’s orchid. — Jeff Lowenfels, Anchorage Daily News, "Do these two things to make your Alaska garden look amazing right now," 25 July 2019 But what’s going up is a huge concern — birch and balsam. — Brooks Johnson, Twin Cities, "20 years later, effects of massive Boundary Waters windstorm still felt," 3 July 2019 Ingredients include Calabrian citrus and Peruvian balsam in Sur La Route, while oud, cocoa, saffron and incense are in Nouveau Monde. — Kavita Daswani, latimes.com, "The Westside and Everafter open in Santa Monica, Thalé Blanc offers L.A.-style backpacks at new store," 8 June 2018 What this mix may really commemorate is one boy’s melancholy realization during the rainy spring of 1972 that the past existed and was irretrievable, except with the aid of lilacs, balsam mini- pillows, and Top 40 headcheese. — Ty Burr, BostonGlobe.com, "Every playlist tells a story," 14 June 2018 The fragrance also has notes of calming Peru balsam, which is a sweet resin that the brand says adds depth to the otherwise fresh and herbaceous ingredients. — Shannon Barbour, The Cut, "Mugler’s New Perfume Was Inspired by Gardens and Monks," 8 June 2018

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