camel

noun cam·el \ ˈka-məl \

Updated on: 16 Apr 2018

Definition of camel

1 : either of two large ruminant mammals (genus Camelus) used as draft and saddle animals in desert regions especially of Africa and Asia:

a : the one-humped camel (C. dromedarius) extant only as a domestic or feral animal : dromedary

b : the 2-humped camel (C. bactrianus synonym C. ferus) of desert and steppe regions of northwestern China and southwestern Mongolia : bactrian camel

2 : a watertight structure used especially to lift submerged ships

3 : a light yellowish brown

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Recent Examples of camel from the Web

For a brief period, the U.S. Army used camels to usher supplies across West Texas.

— allison bagley, Houston Chronicle, "Recreating Texas history - with camels - for the Battle of San Jacinto," 11 Apr. 2018
The jacket, which had classic camel trench sleeves and a draped leather bodice, had previously been worn by Cardi B at Wang's Fall 2018 show during New York Fashion Week.

— lauren alexis fisher, Harper's BAZAAR, "Amal Clooney's Alexander Wang Pants Will Make You Do A Double-Take," 6 Apr. 2018
Gywneth Paltrow wore the most impeccable camel coat.

— krystin arneson, Glamour, "Just a Bunch of Celebrities Celebrating Easter and Passover," 1 Apr. 2018
Go white-water rafting, horseback riding, and hiking through jungles in Costa Rica, visit India’s iconic Taj Mahal, ride a camel and then cruise down the Nile in Egypt, and explore beaches and deserts in Morocco.

— kari bodnarchuk, BostonGlobe.com, "Here, there, and everywhere," 13 Mar. 2018
Soon after, a Democrat trying to unseat Toohill that year briefly ran a campaign ad that featured a photo of Toohil and a man atop a camel during a trip to Israel.

— Philly.com, "Luzerne lawmaker gets protection order against Rep. Nick Miccarelli," 9 Mar. 2018
At one time tourists used to pour into Timbuktu to ride camels across the desert.

— The Economist, "Quicksand in the SahelWhy UN forces are finding it hard to bring peace to Mali," 1 Feb. 2018
See Caribbean dancers, contortionists, acrobats, a hire-wire act, teeterboard, a giant wheel, Russian bar, elephants, motorcycles, and a mixed animal act featuring zebras and camels under the big top at Miramar Regional Park, 16801 Miramar Parkway.

— jennifer jhon, South Florida Parenting, "Egg hunts bring sweet fun to South Florida families this weekend," 22 Mar. 2018
It’s birthing season and this year, 30 camels are pregnant.

— Washington Post, "AP PHOTOS: By Dead Sea, camels graze at Earth’s lowest place," 18 Mar. 2018

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