camellia

American

[kuh-meel-yuh, -mee-lee-uh] / kəˈmil jə, -ˈmi li ə /

noun

any of several shrubs of the genus Camellia, especially C. japonica, native to Asia, having glossy evergreen leaves and white, pink, red, or variegated roselike flowers.

camellia British

/ kəˈmiːlɪə /

noun

Also called: japonica. any ornamental shrub of the Asian genus Camellia, esp C. japonica, having glossy evergreen leaves and showy roselike flowers, usually white, pink or red in colour: family Theaceae

"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 camellia

1745–55; named after G. J. Camellus (1661–1706), Jesuit missionary, who brought it to Europe; see -ia

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.

Tea, made from the leaves of Camellia sinensis, has been consumed globally for centuries, initially for its medicinal properties and later as a popular beverage.

From Science Daily • Jun. 9, 2026

Covina police officers responded to the 600 block of East Camellia Drive at about 10:15 p.m.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 17, 2025

Kyoto-based Camellia Tea Ceremony allows customers to purchase only one tin of matcha each as visitor numbers doubled over the last year, says director Atsuko Mori.

From BBC • Jul. 25, 2025

Her son ran the business until 2012 when it was sold to the Cichocki Family, owners of Camellia Meats, a Polish fourth generation meat business.

From Salon • Mar. 28, 2024

"Interested in royal history, Lady Camellia?" a voice says.

From "The Belles" by Dhonielle Clayton

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023