camel

noun

cam·​el ˈka-məl 

plural camels

1

: any of three large ruminant (see ruminant entry 1) mammals (genus Camelus) that have one or two large humps of stored fat on the back and are 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 camels (C. bactrianus and 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

4

a

: camel hair sense 2

"… So we're going to look for more luxury fabrics—cashmere, camel, alpaca and … lambswools."

—Paul Diamond

—usually used before another noun

a genuine camel coat

b

: leather made from the skin of a camel

They all have four-digit price tags and are crafted from luxe leathers like buffalo, calfskin and camel.

—Georgina Safe

—usually used before another noun

camel leather

Illustration of camel

• 1 dromedary
• 2 Bactrian camel

Examples of camel in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Which was of course the straw that started the joke that may have scared the camel now trampling Mr. Colbert and his staff. —Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 22 July 2025

Back in November, the ironic usage of the commercial audio started getting used in the background of trips gone wrong: camels running amok, a Final Destination–esque car ride, a big spider (do not click if even slightly arachnophobic). —Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 14 July 2025

The fate of the CPS pension payment is just one more financial straw on the camel’s back as Johnson and aldermen head into the summer doldrums, then straight into the budget. —A.d. Quig, Chicago Tribune, 13 July 2025

During his nearly two years with CBP, Freddie has put his skills to good work, sniffing out 4,500 pounds of plant products and 3,800 pounds of meat – including 140 pounds of bushmeat from rats, snakes, camels and crocodiles. —Adam Hudacek, CBS News, 9 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English & Anglo-French, from Latin camelus, from Greek kamēlos, of Semitic origin; akin to Hebrew gāmāl camel

First Known Use

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

Phrases Containing camel

• Bactrian camel
• camel hair
• camel's hair
• the straw that breaks/broke the camel's back

Rhymes for camel

• hamel
• hamil
• mammal
• trammel
• enamel
• glutamyl

Kids Definition

camel

noun

cam·​el ˈkam-əl 

: either of two large cud-chewing mammals used for carrying burdens and for riding in desert regions especially of Africa and Asia:

a

: dromedary

b

: a two-humped camel of central Asia

called also Bactrian camel