camellia

noun

ca·​mel·​lia kə-ˈmēl-yə 

: any of a genus (Camellia) of shrubs or trees of the tea family

especially : an ornamental greenhouse shrub (C. japonica) with glossy leaves and roselike flowers

Examples of camellia in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Traditional ingredients include camellia (tsubaki) oil and rice water. — Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 1 Oct. 2026

Common staples include green tea, rice bran, sake water and rice water, alongside camellia oil and fermented extracts. — Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 30 Sep. 2026

Fertilizer The American Camellia Society recommends fertilizing camellias in early March, early May, and early July, as these plants are heavy feeders. — Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 19 Sep. 2026

To lower pH for blue flowers use a product formulated for azaleas, camellias and rhododendrons. — Barbara Gillette, The Spruce, 9 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

New Latin Camellia, from Camellus (Georg Josef Kamel †1706 Moravian Jesuit missionary)

First Known Use

1751, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for camellia

• melia
• telia
• adelia
• borrelia
• lobelia
• syringomyelia

Kids Definition

camellia

noun

ca·​mel·​lia kə-ˈmēl-yə 

: a greenhouse shrub that is related to the tea plant and has glossy evergreen leaves and showy roselike flowers