eucalyptus

noun

eu·ca·lyp·tus ˌyü-kə-ˈlip-təs

plural eucalypti ˌyü-kə-ˈlip-ˌtī

-ˌtē

or eucalyptuses

: 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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web The scent of mint and eucalyptus is fresh and clean, making this product ideal for mornings. —

Grooming Playbook, The Salt Lake Tribune, 30 Sep. 2022 The design has a shell and fill made from eucalyptus fibers, as opposed to the typical down feathers or polyester. —

Hannah Baker, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 Sep. 2022 Overall: The mint and eucalyptus dominate just a tiny bit too much, affecting the overall balance. —

Felipe Schrieberg, Forbes, 29 June 2022 Tattersall’s blend is a bitter liqueur with 33 ingredients, among them mint and eucalyptus. —

Sharyn Jackson, Star Tribune, 23 Nov. 2020 For sore and tired muscles, anything with pure Epsom salts (a.k.a. magnesium sulfate), along with essential oils like peppermint and eucalyptus, might help to relieve discomfort. —

Sarah Madaus, SELF, 12 Jan. 2023 Dry, cracked hands can enjoy some sweet relief with the help of Kiehl's Ultimate Strength Hand Salve, a nourishing formula that features a skin-conditioning blend of avocado, sesame seed, and eucalyptus oils. —

Jennifer Hussein, Allure, 6 Jan. 2023 In LeBron James’s yard, the honey tastes like Chinese elm and eucalyptus. —

Curbed, 23 Dec. 2022 Customers appreciate the refreshing eucalyptus scent. —

Dallas News, 21 Dec. 2022 See More

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.

Word History

Etymology

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.

First Known Use

1801, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of eucalyptus was in 1801

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Eucalyptus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/eucalyptus. Accessed 6 Feb. 2023.

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Kids Definition

eucalyptus

noun

eu·ca·lyp·tus ˌyü-kə-ˈlip-təs

plural eucalypti -ˌtī

-ˌtē

or eucalyptuses

: any of a genus of mostly Australian evergreen trees of the myrtle family including many that are widely cultivated for their gums, resins, oils, and useful woods

Medical Definition

eucalyptus

noun

eu·ca·lyp·tus ˌyü-kə-ˈlip-təs

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

plural eucalypti -ˌtī

-ˌtē

or eucalyptuses : any tree or shrub of the genus Eucalyptus

eucalyptus adjective