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

Nuccio knows of many older camellias in the San Gabriel Valley that are watered exclusively by winter rain. —Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 8 Jan. 2026

For a pet-friendly privacy screen, go with boxwood, viburnum, and camellias. —Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Jan. 2026

But the Glow Face Oil also gets a boost from organic camellia seed oil, organic chamomile, organic calendula, sea buckthorn oil, jojoba oil, and helichrysum essential oil. —Rachel Nussbaum, InStyle, 6 Jan. 2026

Most Southern yards in zones 7-9 have at least one beautiful camellia shrub, and for good reason. —Quincy Bulin, Southern Living, 3 Jan. 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