eucalyptus

noun

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eu·ca·lyp·tus | \ ˌyü-kə-ˈlip-təs

plural eucalypti\ ˌyü-kə-ˈlip-ˌtī

, -ˌtē \ or eucalyptuses

Definition of eucalyptus

: any of a genus (Eucalyptus) of mostly Australian evergreen trees or rarely shrubs of the myrtle family that have rigid entire leaves and umbellate flowers and are widely cultivated for their gums, resins, oils, and woods

Examples of eucalyptus in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Such interventions haven’t always panned out so well: In 1895, the emperor of Ethiopia ordered the planting of fast-growing eucalyptus trees imported from Australia so people would have abundant firewood. — Lauren Markham, Wired, 9 Oct. 2021 Huddled under lofty pines and eucalyptus trees, these dwellings embody the architect’s seductive later manner: low, wide façades; plate-glass windows under overhanging roofs; darker, woodsier trim. — Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 20 Sep. 2021 Replacing the industries reliance on synthetics with their signature merino wool and yarn created from eucalyptus trees has its own unique sourcing challenges. — Sanford Stein, Forbes, 31 Aug. 2021 Something floral; like a rose; something that has resin, like eucalyptus; then citrus, like a lemon; then spicy, like a clove. — Timothy Fanning, San Antonio Express-News, 16 Sep. 2021 These affordable ones come in scents like Meditate (amber, sandalwood, and orris) and Tranquil (eucalyptus, sage, and rosemary). — Ariel Scotti, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 Sep. 2021 At eight weeks, this pup was to be weaned onto fruit, then flowering eucalyptus. — Cecilia Rodriguez, Forbes, 12 Sep. 2021 And eucalyptus’ vaunted drought resistance, McDonough says, in fact depended on growing up in years of lavish rainfall alternating with occasional drought. — Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2021 This is an odor stomping blend of cedar wood, eucalyptus, and grapefruit essential oils that will get rid of the stink in your shoes. — Chris Hachey, BGR, 1 June 2021

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

History and Etymology for eucalyptus

borrowed from New Latin, genus name, from Greek eu- eu- + kalyptós "covered," verbal adjective of kalýptein "to cover, protect, conceal"; so named for the operculum that covers the developing buds — more at apocalypse

Note: The genus name was introduced by the French botanist Charles Louis L'Héritier de Brutelle (1746-1800) in Sertum Anglicum, seu Plantae rariores quæ in hortis juxta Londinum, imprimis in Horto Regio Kewensi excoluntur (London, 1788), p. 11. According to E.V. Slee et al., EUCLID: Eucalypts of Australia, 3rd edition (online publication), the specimen of Eucalyptus obliqua which L'Héritier described in Kew Gardens had been procured in 1777 by the botanical collector David Nelson at Adventure Bay, Bruny Island, Tasmania, on James Cook's third voyage to the Pacific.

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Last Updated

21 Oct 2021

Cite this Entry

“Eucalyptus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/eucalyptus. Accessed 24 Oct. 2021.

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More Definitions for eucalyptus

eucalyptus

noun

English Language Learners Definition of eucalyptus

: a type of tree that grows naturally in western Australia and that is grown in other places for the products (such as wood and oil) that it provides

See the full definition for eucalyptus in the English Language Learners Dictionary

eucalyptus

noun

eu·ca·lyp·tus | \ ˌyü-kə-ˈlip-təs

plural eucalypti\ -ˌtī \ or eucalyptuses

Kids Definition of eucalyptus

: a tree mainly of Australia that is widely grown for its timber, gums, and oils

eucalyptus

noun

eu·ca·lyp·tus | \ ˌyü-kə-ˈlip-təs

Medical Definition of eucalyptus

1 capitalized : a genus of mostly Australian evergreen trees or rarely shrubs of the myrtle family that have rigid entire leaves and umbellate flowers and are widely cultivated for their gums, resins, oils, and useful woods

2 plural eucalypti\ -ˌtī

, -ˌtē

\ or eucalyptuses : any tree or shrub of the genus Eucalyptus