camel

American  

[kam-uhl] / ˈkæm əl /

noun

1. either of two large, humped, ruminant quadrupeds of the genus Camelus, of the Old World.

2. a color ranging from yellowish tan to yellowish brown.

3. Also called camel spin.  Skating. a spin done in an arabesque position.

4. Nautical.

   1. Also called pontoon.  a float for lifting a deeply laden vessel sufficiently to allow it to cross an area of shallow water.

   2. a float serving as a fender between a vessel and a pier or the like.

   3. caisson.

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camel British  

/ ˈkæməl /

noun

1. either of two cud-chewing artiodactyl mammals of the genus Camelus : family Camelidae. They are adapted for surviving long periods without food or water in desert regions, esp by using humps on the back for storing fat See Arabian camel Bactrian camel

2. a float attached to a vessel to increase its buoyancy See also caisson

3. a raft or float used as a fender between a vessel and a wharf

4. 1. a fawn colour

   2. ( as adjective )

      a camel dress

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camel Idioms  

1. see under last straw.

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Other Word Forms

• camellike
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of camel

before 950; Middle English, Old English < Latin camēlus < Greek kámēlos < Semitic; compare Hebrew gāmāl

Explanation

A camel is a four-legged desert animal that's slightly larger than a horse. Camels are distinctive for the humps on their backs. There are two types of camels: the single-humped or dromedary and the two-humped camel. The first kind lives in the Middle East and parts of Africa, while the second is found in Central Asia. All camels are well-suited to life in the desert, going long periods without water and able to withstand high heat. The word camel comes from the Greek kamelos, and may be related to the Arabic jamala, "to bear."

Example Sentences

At Camel Club, a junior couple’s membership for people under 32 years old requires a $3,000 initiation fee and monthly dues of $250.

From The Wall Street Journal • Sep. 30, 2025

And then I’ll make it to Camel, which apparently is now called Handles?

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 29, 2025

The Sopwith Camel sputters and smokes, before crashing to the ground near Snoopy’s blue water bowl.

From Salon • Oct. 30, 2023

Suzanne Camel, then a Stoneman Douglas math teacher, told the court she was in her classroom in an adjoining structure that faced the 1200 building.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 21, 2023

Camel sobs and sniffs his way to sleep, despite Walter’s repeated assurances that his family will welcome him with open arms.

From "Water for Elephants" by Sara Gruen

Related Words

• cream
• khaki
• off-white
• tan
• taupe