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ceiba

American  
[sey-buh, sahy-, they-bah, sey-] / ˈseɪ bə, ˈsaɪ-, ˈθeɪ βɑ, ˈseɪ- /

noun

plural

ceibas
  1. the silk-cotton tree, Ceiba pentandra.

  2. silk cotton; kapok.


ceiba British  
/ ˈseɪbə /

noun

  1. any bombacaceous tropical tree of the genus Ceiba, such as the silk-cotton tree

  2. silk cotton; kapok

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of ceiba

First recorded in 1805–15; from Spanish, from Taíno ceyba or its cognate in another Arawakan language

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

In one entrancing swath of forest, towering ceiba trees loom and hooting howler monkeys leap from branch to branch in the understory.

From Science Magazine • Apr. 26, 2018

Utuado is surrounded by dense forest of native ceiba, Asian teaks, and West Indian and Honduran mahogany where parrots roost.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 24, 2017

Santería offerings are scattered at the base of a ceiba tree near the main strip.

From Washington Post • May 21, 2015

THE road to Atjoni got more interesting as the wind grew stronger, making the surrounding ceiba trees of the Surinamese jungle murmur with whispers of an impending storm.

From New York Times • Sep. 16, 2011

The beam of light moves through the yard to the giant ceiba, thick as six lesser trees.

From "Dreaming in Cuban" by Cristina García