eucalyptus

noun

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

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Examples of eucalyptus in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The lack of clutter on the dash, which is underscored by a ribbon of eucalyptus connecting the doors, is crowned by a tablet-sized display screen that is larger than the cluster display behind the steering wheel. — Robert Duffer, chicagotribune.com, "2017 BMW i3 electric vehicle goes longer on style than miles," 8 Aug. 2017 Nature lovers can flip the script on holiday greenery and have fresh eucalyptus delivered, best slipped into the shower for an instant spa escape. — Laura Regensdorf, Vogue, "10 Utterly Perfect Home Fragrances for the Holiday Hostess with the Mostest," 20 Nov. 2018 Notes of hinoki, juniper, and eucalyptus sourced from 100 percent all-natural essential oils combine within a coconut and apricot wax blend while encased in a reusable handthrown stoneware container. — Erin Nicole Celletti, Teen Vogue, "7 Fall Candles Under $60," 16 Nov. 2018 Just steps from the beach, a surfing culture flows through this neighborhood whose palm trees and eucalyptus became extra tinder during the fire. — Sara Randazzo, WSJ, "What’s Left in Two Communities After Fires Killed 44," 12 Nov. 2018 Calvin Klein Women features notes of eucalyptus cone, orange flower, and cedar: Calvin Klein Women 1.7-ounce eau de parfum spray, $84 SHOP IT A version of this article appears in the September 2018 issue of Marie Claire. — Jennifer Goldstein, Marie Claire, "Lupita Nyong'o & Saoirse Ronan Teamed Up to Create Your New Go-To Perfume," 22 Aug. 2018 Quincy came to San Diego from the Los Angeles Zoo, where his diabetes was first diagnosed — a rarity in the sleepy, tree-dwelling eucalyptus-eaters, native to coastal eastern Australia. — Bradley J. Fikes, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Quincy the San Diego Zoo's diabetic koala, gets help from Dexcom," 25 June 2018 The balm combines four aromatic plant oils, including eucalyptus, Egyptian chamomile, clove, and hops, to remove dirt and other impurities. — Talia Abbas, SELF, "This Balmy Face Wash Turned Me Into a Double-Cleansing Fanatic," 12 Nov. 2018 The grounds also include live oaks, giant sequoias, Monterey pines and eucalyptus, as well as a large flower and vegetable garden. — Katherine Clarke, WSJ, "The Estate That Wants to Be Silicon Valley’s Priciest Home," 18 Oct. 2018

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 (on-line 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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19 Feb 2019

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Time Traveler for eucalyptus

The first known use of eucalyptus was in 1801

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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