cambium

noun

cam·​bi·​um ˈkam-bē-əm 

plural cambiums or cambia ˈkam-bē-ə 

: a thin formative layer between the xylem and phloem of most vascular plants that gives rise to new cells and is responsible for secondary growth

cambial

ˈkam-bē-əl 

adjective

Examples of cambium in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Some species provided not just materials but sustenance: edible cambium (a layer between the bark and the wood), plump and sweet in the spring—considered a famine food by some groups and a delicacy by others. —Amelia Soth, JSTOR Daily, 27 Feb. 2025

Many oak tree species have thick outer bark that protects the inner cambium layer, from which new growth occurs. —Joshua Siskin, Orange County Register, 8 Feb. 2025

The cambium, maker of all the trees, is preparing for its spring festivities. —Bluesky Social, 15 Jan. 2025

On the West Coast of the United States, even the inner bark of the ponderosa pine was eaten by Native people in the spring for its carbohydrate-rich cambium layer. —Michael J. Coren, Washington Post, 23 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Medieval Latin, exchange, from Latin cambire to exchange — more at change

First Known Use

1672, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing cambium

• cork cambium

Kids Definition

cambium

noun

cam·​bi·​um ˈkam-bē-əm 

plural cambiums or cambia -bē-ə 

: a thin cell layer between the xylem and phloem of most vascular plants from which new cells (as of wood and bark) develop

cambial

-bē-əl 

adjective