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

Examples of eucalyptus in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Natural repellents made with essential oils like citronella, lemon eucalyptus, and soybean are considerably gentler than DEET (though, again, not as effective). — Megan Michelson, Outside Online, "DEET Will Kill Your Gore-Tex Jacket," 11 June 2018 Menthol and Olbas oil (a mixture of peppermint, eucalyptus, cajeput, wintergreen, juniper, and clove) may cause redness and irritation to the eyes. — Philly.com, "Essential oils: Why 'natural' doesn't always mean safe," 22 May 2018 That property was filled with cypress, eucalyptus, palms, and jacaranda—and, along the way, was re-dubbed Balboa Park. — Brittany Martin, Los Angeles Magazine, "The History of Those Beautiful Jacaranda Trees in Bloom Around L.A.," 15 May 2018 For immune-boosting: Lemon, lavender, tea tree, eucalyptus, oregano, thyme, orange, and cinnamon. — Kaleigh Fasanella, Allure, "Essential Oils for Beginners: How to Use Them Safely in Your Beauty Routine," 7 May 2018 Gapler says eucalyptus, peppermint and rosemary can do the trick. — Sara M Moniuszko, USA TODAY, "Essential oil guide: What oils to use, how to use them and safety tips," 25 Apr. 2018 That’s a crucial statement, since Heitz Martha’s Vineyard Cabernet is famous for its herbal profile — a flavor often described as like eucalyptus. — Esther Mobley, San Francisco Chronicle, "Napa wine legend Heitz sells to Arkansas billionaire Gaylon Lawrence Jr.," 18 Apr. 2018 Wander among the tiled fountain systems, citrus orchards, perennial borders and cactus garden — all focused inward, surrounded and enclosed by tall stands of eucalyptus and palm trees. — Jill K. Robinson, San Francisco Chronicle, "Santa Barbara serenity abounds in region’s 5 best public gardens," 14 June 2018 The artificial wave pool, bordered by rows of eucalyptus and desert pine, is set amid acres of brown fields in this Central California farming town. 1. — David Wharton, latimes.com, "California's hottest surf spot is a Kelly Slater-designed artificial wave pool 100 miles inland," 5 May 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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15 Oct 2018

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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