jojoba

[ hoh-hoh-buh ]

noun

1. a shrub, Simmondsia chinensis (or S. californica ), of the southwestern U.S. and Mexico, bearing seeds that are the source of an oil jojoba oil used in cosmetics and as a lubricant.

jojoba

/ həʊˈhəʊbə /

noun

1. a shrub or small tree of SW North America, Simmondsia californica, that has edible seeds containing a valuable oil used in cosmetics

Word History and Origins

Origin of jojoba¹

Borrowed into English from Mexican Spanish around 1920–25

Word History and Origins

Origin of jojoba¹

Mexican Spanish