chamomile

noun cham·o·mile \ ˈka-mə-ˌmī(-ə)l , -ˌmēl \

variants: or camomile

|Updated on: 15 Jun 2018

Definition of chamomile

1 : a perennial composite (see ¹composite 1b) herb (Chamaemelum nobile synonym Anthemis nobilis) of Europe and North Africa with aromatic (see ¹aromatic 1) foliage and flower heads

2 : any of several composite plants (genera Matricaria and Anthemis) related to chamomile; especially : an annual Eurasian herb (M. recutita synonym M. chamomilla) naturalized (see naturalize 4) in North America

3 : the dried flower heads of chamomile that are often used in making tea and that yield an essential oil possessing medicinal properties

See chamomile defined for English-language learners

See chamomile defined for kids

Recent Examples of chamomile from the Web

In a product called Sleep, a loose-leaf tea from Teasäne, chamomile is just one of several herbs used for similar properties: alfalfa for balancing hormones and relieving anxiety; lemon verbena to relax the nervous system.

— kavita daswani, latimes.com, "Better sleep requires a better routine, and perhaps an upgrade to your pillows and PJs," 31 May 2018
Anecdotally, a Wired reporter also tried a handful of different sleep aids, finding that chamomile supplements gave him the soundest sleep each night.

— candace braun davison, House Beautiful, "Alert: Lush Now Sells A Deep Sleep Shower Jelly," 17 May 2018
In this case — and for the other arrangements — thicker stems like mountain laurel and dill flower go first to help create the initial structure for the arrangement, which can then be filled in with the thinner stems like dill, chamomile or sage.

— rachel swalin, ELLE Decor, "How To Arrange Flowers For The Most Stunning Homemade Bouquets," 21 June 2017
Other organic ingredients such as calendula extract, cupuacu butter, and chamomile extract are also used.

— marco torres, Houston Chronicle, "Houstonians share the secret meaning behind their tattoos," 21 May 2018
Lavender's long been considered a stress-reliever, and a small study found that cardiac patients fell into a deep sleep that lasted for 90 minutes after drinking chamomile tea.

— candace braun davison, House Beautiful, "Alert: Lush Now Sells A Deep Sleep Shower Jelly," 17 May 2018
My wish list for this weekend is epic—trellis the hop vines, plant a bed of chamomile seedlings and a round of peas, and mulch the apple trees.

— eve macsweeney, Vogue, "The Most Meaningful Mother’s Day Gifts: Cheap But Deep," 10 May 2018
The spirit is distilled from Kansas wheat and steeped with grand and Roman wormwood, fennel, star anise, hyssop, spearmint, peppermint, melissa leaf (lemon balm), chamomile and hibiscus.

— anne brockhoff, kansascity, "Is your cocktail in season? Bartenders letting gardens dictate what's in your glass | The Kansas City Star," 23 Apr. 2018
As part of the Spring with the Royal Wedding Celebration Package, the hotel’s Lobby Bar has crafted an exclusive Royal Cup cocktail, combining Bombay Sapphire, homemade bergamot and chamomile cordial, Elderflower liqueur, and an edible gold leaf.

— necee regis, BostonGlobe.com, "Headed to the royal wedding? Score a deal fit for a king or queen," 11 Apr. 2018

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

Illustration of chamomile

Origin and Etymology of chamomile

Middle English camemille, from Medieval Latin camomilla, modification of Latin chamaemelon, from Greek chamaimēlon, from chamai + mēlon apple

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 13th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

CHAMOMILE Defined for English Language Learners

chamomile

noun

Definition of chamomile for English Language Learners

: a plant that has a strong smell and small white and yellow flowers that are often used in making tea and medicine

Medical Dictionary

chamomile

noun cham·o·mile

variants: or camomile play \ˈkam-ə-ˌmīl, -ˌmēl\

medical Definition of chamomile

1 a : a composite herb (Chamaemelum nobile synonym Anthemis nobilis) of Europe and Africa having aromatic flower heads

b : any of several related composite plants (genera Anthemis and Matricaria); especially : a Eurasian herb of the genus Matricaria (M. recutita synonym M. chamomilla) naturalized in North America

2 : the dried flower heads of a chamomile that are often used in making tea and that yield an essential oil possessing medicinal properties