chamomile

noun

cham·​o·​mile ˈka-mə-ˌmī(-ə)l  -ˌmēl 

variants or camomile

1

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

2

: any of several composite plants (such as genera Matricaria and Anthemis) related to chamomile

especially : an annual Eurasian herb (M. chamomilla synonym M. recutita) naturalized (see naturalize sense 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

Illustration of chamomile

Examples of chamomile in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Rather than loading up on sugar and additives, the recipe centers on compounds tied to winding down, including L-theanine, magnesium, lemon balm, chamomile and chicory root fiber. — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson july 17, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 July 2026

And the dog that paces through every thunderstorm, or chews a cushion to pieces the moment the house goes quiet, has a calming soft chew made with chamomile, melatonin, and L-theanine. — Daniel Fusch, USA Today, 17 July 2026

The hotel puts its own spin on the classic recipe, combining a hibiscus- and coconut-infused Ecuadorian sugarcane spirit called caña manabita with naranjilla extract, cinnamon water, Gala apple purée, and a chamomile reduction. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 July 2026

Medvedeva designed a chamomile emblem for the day and created a medal for couples married 25 years or more. — Diana Dukhanova, The Conversation, 6 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for chamomile

• campanile
• domicil
• domicile
• mercantile
• neuropil
• percentile
• peristyle
• reconcile
• thermopile
• aisle
• bile
• chyle

Kids Definition

chamomile

noun

cham·​o·​mile

variants or camomile

ˈkam-ə-ˌmīl, 

-ˌmēl

1

: an herb related to the daisies with strong-scented leaves and flower heads

2

: the dried flower heads of chamomile often used in making tea

Medical Definition

chamomile

noun

cham·​o·​mile

variants or camomile

ˈkam-ə-ˌmīl  -ˌmēl 

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. chamomilla synonym M. recutita) 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