Joshua tree

noun

1. an evergreen tree, Yucca brevifolia, growing in arid or desert regions of the southwestern U.S., having long, twisted branches.

Joshua tree

noun

1. a treelike desert yucca plant, Yucca brevifolia, of the southwestern US, with sword-shaped leaves and greenish-white flowers

Word History and Origins

Origin of Joshua tree¹

First recorded in 1895–1900

Word History and Origins

Origin of Joshua tree¹

named after the prophet Joshua, alluding to the extended branches of the tree

Example Sentences

The Joshua Tree, before Bono had found what he was looking for, was a collection of question marks.

From The Daily Beast

At their best—on Unforgettable Fire, Joshua Tree, Achtung Baby—U2 managed to satisfy both art and commerce.

From The Daily Beast

But on day five of our trip, in Joshua Tree National Park, I took a pregnancy test in nearby Yucca Valley.

From The Daily Beast

There he is smoking at Joshua Tree, milling around onstage, and palling around with his kid and dog named Ratbag.

From The Daily Beast

Then I tied my horse to a prominent lone Joshua-tree that would be easy to find, unstrapped the black bag, and started off.

From Project Gutenberg

We doubled back through the willows and across the mesquite flat toward the lone Joshua-tree where I had left my horse.

From Project Gutenberg

Snow often extends down the desert slope well into the Joshua Tree belt.

From Project Gutenberg

"I have my horse tied out by the lone Joshua-tree," I answered him.

From Project Gutenberg