Dictionary.com

ailanthus

[ ey-lan-thuhs ]
/ eɪˈlæn θəs /
Save This Word!

noun, plural ai·lan·thus·es.
any tree belonging to the genus Ailanthus, of the quassia family, especially A. altissima, widely grown in cities.
QUIZ
WILL YOU SAIL OR STUMBLE ON THESE GRAMMAR QUESTIONS?
Smoothly step over to these common grammar mistakes that trip many people up. Good luck!
Question 1 of 7
Fill in the blank: I can’t figure out _____ gave me this gift.
Compare tree of heaven.

Origin of ailanthus

1788; <New Latin Ailantus, Ailanthus (th by association with Greek ánthos flower) <Central Moluccan ai lanit(o), ai lanit(e), equivalent to ai tree, wood + lanit sky + -o, -e a definite article

OTHER WORDS FROM ailanthus

ai·lan·thic, adjective

Words nearby ailanthus

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use ailanthus in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for ailanthus

ailanthus
/ (eɪˈlænθəs) /

noun plural -thuses
an E Asian simaroubaceous deciduous tree, Ailanthus altissima, planted in Europe and North America, having pinnate leaves, small greenish flowers, and winged fruitsAlso called: tree of heaven

Word Origin for ailanthus

C19: New Latin, from native name (in Amboina) ai lanto tree (of) the gods
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
FEEDBACK