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

Formulated with moisture-locking hyaluronic acid and ceramides alongside soothing rosemary leaf and chamomile extracts, Missha M’s Perfect Cover BB Cream delivers SPF 42 protection and buildable medium coverage that helps cancel out discoloration. —Lily Wohlner, Allure, 25 Mar. 2026

Roman Chamomile German chamomile and Roman chamomile are both grown for herbal teas; however, only Roman chamomile grows perennially. —Lauren Landers, The Spruce, 11 Mar. 2026

Rose asked her son, Zion, to pull down jars of lavender, chamomile, and hops, to mix a bath blend for Mosaku’s two-year-old daughter, who has had trouble sleeping. —Michael Schulman, New Yorker, 5 Mar. 2026

Some good candidates include creeping thyme, Irish or Scotch moss, white clover, creeping veronica, baby’s tears (Soleirolia soleirolii), and chamomile. —Luke Miller, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Mar. 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

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