\ ˈnēm 
\
\Definition of neem
: a large tropical Asian tree (Azadirachta indica) of the mahogany family having a bitter bark used as a tonic and leaves and seeds that have insecticidal and antiseptic properties and yield a medicinal aromatic oil
Examples of neem in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web Money tree plants can also attract pests like aphids and mealy bugs, but not to worry—Epic Gardening suggests applying neem oil to the soil to repel any pests, and removing aphids with water.
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Brittney Morgan, House Beautiful, "Here's How to Care for a Money Tree (and Never Kill One Again)," 20 Dec. 2019 Further, the presence in rice fields of certain trees such as neem (Azadirachta indica), whose leaves serve as a natural pesticide, and of predators such as the owl has been considered auspicious.
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Debal Deb, Scientific American, "The Struggle to Save Heirloom Rice in India," 16 Oct. 2019 Tulasi shows me where neem and breadfruit trees once divided her land from the road, their disappearance depriving her crops of shade.
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Tamar Adler, Vogue, "The Young Farmers Behind Puerto Rico’s Food Revolution," 20 June 2018 To combat body odor, San Diego brand CeeCee & Bee Apothecary makes its Natural Deodorant Stick — Tea Tree and Lavender, which uses neem leaf (which is said to help repel mosquitoes too), coconut and castor oil.
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Kavita Daswani, latimes.com, "Heading to Coachella? Here are some packing tips," 7 Apr. 2018 There was neem and basil growing, chiles and mint, six kinds of eggplant, along with trees full of mangoes, bananas, papayas and jackfruit.
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Tejal Rao, New York Times, "A Garlicky Stir Fry With Basil Leaves From Bangkok," 25 Jan. 2018 Instead of applying a chemical to kill worms, Valle del Tarso uses a natural product from the Australian neem tree.
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Syndicated Columns, OregonLive.com, "The dirt on 'organic' food: you may be paying for fakes," 26 Dec. 2017 Instead of applying a chemical to kill worms, Valle del Tarso uses a natural product from the Australian neem tree.
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Syndicated Columns, OregonLive.com, "The dirt on 'organic' food: you may be paying for fakes," 26 Dec. 2017 Instead of applying a chemical to kill worms, Valle del Tarso uses a natural product from the Australian neem tree.
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Syndicated Columns, OregonLive.com, "The dirt on 'organic' food: you may be paying for fakes," 26 Dec. 2017
See MoreThese example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'neem.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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Time Traveler for neem
The first known use of neem was in 1813
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