baobab

American  

[bey-oh-bab, bah-oh-, bou-bab] / ˈbeɪ oʊˌbæb, ˈbɑ oʊ-, ˈbaʊ bæb /

noun

baobabs plural

1. any large tree belonging to the genus Adansonia, of the bombax family, especially A. digitata, which is native to tropical Africa, has an exceedingly thick trunk, and bears a gourdlike fruit.

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baobab British  

/ ˈbeɪəʊˌbæb /

noun

1. Also called: bottle tree.   monkey bread tree.  a bombacaceous tree, Adansonia digitata , native to Africa, that has a very thick trunk, large white flowers, and a gourdlike fruit with an edible pulp called monkey bread

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• baobabs
  plural

Etymology

Origin of baobab

First recorded in 1630–40, baobab is from the New Latin word bahobab, first cited in a description of the tree's fruit by Italian physician and botanist Prospero Alpini (1553–1616 or 17); origin obscure

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

baobab baobabs

“This has been our home for a long time. We have no intention of leaving,” she said, sitting under the shade of an ancient baobab tree.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 9, 2026

On a recent morning, Mike, a charismatic, middle-aged chimp, ambled along the savannah floor, baobab fruit dangling by a stem from his mouth -- a snack for later -- as Sadiakhou watched.

From Barron's ● Jan. 15, 2026

Zoom out and these pointillist patterns are colorful doubles of the black-and-white photographs of baobab trees mounted in the foreground.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 5, 2025

Ground baobab fruit, peanut butter, milk and leafy green vegetables are stirred into the porridge to add extra nutrients.

From BBC ● Aug. 29, 2024

The baobab trees tower over us, and I start to feel their soothing energy settling over me.

From "Dragons in a Bag" by Zetta Elliott

The iconic baobabs, also known as upside-down trees, or the tree of life, have much cultural significance, inspiring innumerable arts, folklore, and traditions.

From Science Daily ● May 15, 2024

For all the tales told about baobabs, though, their origin story has remained a mystery.

From New York Times ● May 15, 2024

Mr. Patrut thinks that the oldest baobabs are around 2,500 years old.

From NewsForKids.net ● Apr. 10, 2024

There is also a big market for baobabs in Australia and South Africa.

From BBC ● Nov. 22, 2022

I don’t know if it’s the baobabs or Ma’s story that makes me feel so happy, but I can’t stop grinning.

From "Dragons in a Bag" by Zetta Elliott