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

The formula relies on nourishing ingredients like camellia seed oil, grapeseed oil, and Centella asiatica extract, which help soften skin while calming irritation. —Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 21 Mar. 2026

Ours featured an enormous (and very comfy) bed with a rattan headboard, tasteful brass lamps, a plush green velvet armchair and a writing desk with views out over the camellia trees. —Irenie Forshaw, TheWeek, 19 Mar. 2026

The formula starts with camellia oil, which has been shown to increase the proliferation of follicles and block the spread of DHT, a hair loss-causing hormone. —Tamim Alnuweiri, InStyle, 15 Mar. 2026

Double-flowered begonias, on the other hand, have lots of petals and are often compared to camellias or roses. —Derek Carwood, Better Homes & Gardens, 12 Mar. 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