balsam

noun

bal·​sam ˈbȯl-səm 

1

a

: 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

2

a

: a balsam-yielding tree

especially : balsam fir

b

: impatiens

especially : a common garden ornamental (Impatiens balsamina)

3

: balm sense 5

Examples of balsam in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The Peru balsam in Vanilla Smoke also plays beautifully with the woody aspects of By The Fireplace. —Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 24 Mar. 2025

Yankee Candle Balsam and Cedar Scented Candle Gear up for the holidays with this balsam and cedar-scented Yankee Candle that can burn for up to 150 hours. —Clara McMahon, People.com, 29 Nov. 2024

The fragrance, created by Takasago perfumer Karine Dubreuil Sereni, contains notes including Peru balsam, opopanax, Tasuki vanilla from Madagascar, leather, tobacco and sandalwood. —Jennifer Weil, WWD, 17 Feb. 2025

The place was a balsam bog loaded with snowshoe hares in Schoolcraft County on Michigan’s upper peninsula. —Erwin A. Bauer, Outdoor Life, 25 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin balsamum, from Greek balsamon, probably of Semitic origin; akin to Hebrew bāshām balsam

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing balsam

• balsam fir
• balsam poplar
• Canada balsam

Kids Definition

balsam

noun

bal·​sam ˈbȯl-səm 

1

a

: a fragrant and usually oily substance that slowly flows from various plants

b

: a preparation containing or smelling like balsam

2

a

: a balsam-yielding tree (as balsam fir)

b

: impatiens

especially : one grown as an ornamental

3

: balm sense 2

balsamic

bȯl-ˈsam-ik

adjective

Medical Definition

balsam

noun

bal·​sam ˈbȯl-səm 

1

a

: 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

2

: a balsam-yielding tree

3

: balm sense 3

balsamic

bȯl-ˈsam-ik 

adjective