creosote bush

noun

: a resinous desert shrub (Larrea tridentata) of the caltrop family found in the southwestern U.S. and Mexico

Illustration of creosote bush

Illustration of creosote bush

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web At a creosote bush — a -tu-kul in the Cahuilla language — Castro explained how families would boil the leaves to make tea, often sweetened with honey. oregonlive, 19 Feb. 2023 At a creosote bush — a-tu-kul in the Cahuilla language — Castro explained how families would boil the leaves to make tea, often sweetened with honey. Christopher Reynoldsstaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 8 Feb. 2023 The pronghorn on Cabeza Prieta are confined to an island of cactus, mesquite and creosote bush. Jeff Wheelwright, Discover Magazine, 28 Aug. 2014 Yet desert woodrats that live in the creosote bush's range can eat it without any trouble. Elizabeth Preston, Discover Magazine, 15 Sep. 2014 Thunder silenced the cicadas, and the humid air was filled with the spicy-citrus scent of the creosote bush. New York Times, 4 July 2022 Collect rosemary lavender, some leaves and branches from a citrus tree, pine branches or something from a creosote bush, and tie it with twine. Christine Lennon, Sunset Magazine, 30 Mar. 2022 Later, the series examines the creosote bush, one of the oldest living organisms on Earth at 12,000 years old. Stephen Armstrong, Wired, 2 Dec. 2021 Simply named the Slot, the narrow silt-stone canyon in Anza-Borrego is the place to squeeze, duck and maneuver through the geological ravine, which houses creosote bush and cholla cactus. Mary Forgione, Los Angeles Times, 11 Nov. 2021 See More

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

Word History

First Known Use

1846, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of creosote bush was in 1846

Dictionary Entries Near creosote bush

Cite this Entry

“Creosote bush.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/creosote%20bush. Accessed 30 Mar. 2023.

Kids Definition

creosote bush

noun
: a desert shrub of the southwestern U.S. and Mexico with small yellow flowers

More from Merriam-Webster on creosote bush

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