acacia

[ uh-key-shuh ]

noun

1. a small tree or shrub belonging to the genus Acacia, of the mimosa family, having clusters of small yellow flowers.
2. any of several other plants, as the locust tree.
3. gum arabic.

acacia

/ əˈkeɪʃə /

noun

1. any shrub or tree of the tropical and subtropical leguminous genus Acacia, having compound or reduced leaves and small yellow or white flowers in dense inflorescences See also wattle 1
2. false acacia
   another name for locust locust
3. gum acacia
   another name for gum arabic

Word History and Origins

Origin of acacia¹

1535–45; < Latin < Greek akakía Egyptian thorn

Word History and Origins

Origin of acacia¹

C16: from Latin, from Greek akakia, perhaps related to akē point

Example Sentences

On the island of Borneo, the district of Sepaku, at least a two-hour drive from any city, was known for its forests of mangrove, acacia and eucalyptus.

From Los Angeles Times

The school is in a compound made up of 10 classrooms arranged in a horseshoe shape around a playground where acacia trees and plants spring out of the sandy soil.

From BBC

The flower mentioned in the children's song "Orchard Road" is actually from the acacia tree.

From Science Daily

The tree feeds the insects with nectar and shelters them in hollows called domacia; in exchange, the ants defend the acacia from giraffes and other herbivores by swarming the animals and delivering painful bites.

From Science Magazine

Having lost their bodyguards, the acacia trees are being obliterated by elephants.

From Science Daily