eucalyptus

[ yoo-kuh-lip-tuhs ]

noun

plural eucalypti eucalyptuses.

1. any of numerous often tall trees belonging to the genus Eucalyptus, of the myrtle family, native to Australia and adjacent islands, having aromatic evergreen leaves that are the source of medicinal oils and heavy wood used as timber.

eucalyptus

/ ˌjuːkəˈlɪptəs; ˈjuːkəˌlɪpt /

noun

1. any myrtaceous tree of the mostly Australian genus Eucalyptus, such as the blue gum and ironbark, widely cultivated for the medicinal oil in their leaves ( eucalyptus oil ), timber, and ornament

Other Word Forms

• euca·lyptic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of eucalyptus¹

1800–10; < New Latin < Greek eu- eu- + kalyptós covered, wrapped, akin to kalýptein to cover

Word History and Origins

Origin of eucalyptus¹

C19: New Latin, from eu- + Greek kaluptos covered, from kaluptein to cover, hide

Example Sentences

To this day, when I land at LAX and get a whiff of eucalyptus riding above the jet fuel and car exhaust, I just think, “Man, it’s good to be home.”

From Los Angeles Times

Twelve attendees — including an 82-year-old woman who lost her home in the fire — stretched out their mats on the green grass beneath a singed eucalyptus tree.

From Los Angeles Times

I ask myself what the coast, with its chaparral, eucalyptus, wide-mawed canyons and thick seasonal fogs, will look like when I return.

From Los Angeles Times

It’s always a treat to meet new people on the trail, this time among Elysian’s fragrant cedar, eucalyptus and pine trees.

From Los Angeles Times

It’s never super-crowded, and when you get to that back top ridge and it’s overlooking all the mountains, and there’s eucalyptus trees … it’s so L.A.

From Los Angeles Times