Christmas tree
Americannoun
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an evergreen tree decorated at Christmas with ornaments and lights.
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a control board or panel containing a variety of colored lights for indicating the status of various functions, elements, components, etc.
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an elaborate arrangement of pipes, valves, etc., as for controlling the flow of oil or gas.
noun
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an evergreen tree or an imitation of one, decorated as part of Christmas celebrations
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Also called: Christmas bush. any of various trees or shrubs flowering at Christmas and used for decoration
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another name for pohutukawa
Etymology
Origin of Christmas tree
An Americanism dating back to 1780–90
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 1983, Gene Kelly’s Beverly Hills home was destroyed after a Christmas tree ignited in the middle of the night.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 12, 2026
A few days earlier, activists from the group targeted the Ritz Hotel, dumping bags of manure beside its Christmas tree.
From BBC • Mar. 5, 2026
“I don’t want to be mean, but … the Christmas tree is up,” Sugarman continued, looking at the snap.
From MarketWatch • Feb. 20, 2026
Takaichi made cookies and origami animals for the office staff, said Ramlow, who keeps two paper cranes Takaichi made and hangs them on a Christmas tree every year.
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 6, 2026
Laney put on her panda jacket, collected Paganini, and grabbed the small Christmas tree before heading to the second floor.
From "The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street" by Karina Yan Glaser
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
