camel

American  

[kam-uhl] / ˈkæm əl /

noun

1. either of two large, humped, ruminant quadrupeds of the genus Camelus, of the Old World.

2. a color ranging from yellowish tan to yellowish brown.

3. Also called camel spin.  Skating. a spin done in an arabesque position.

4. Nautical.

   1. Also called pontoon.  a float for lifting a deeply laden vessel sufficiently to allow it to cross an area of shallow water.

   2. a float serving as a fender between a vessel and a pier or the like.

   3. caisson.

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camel British  

/ ˈkæməl /

noun

1. either of two cud-chewing artiodactyl mammals of the genus Camelus : family Camelidae. They are adapted for surviving long periods without food or water in desert regions, esp by using humps on the back for storing fat See Arabian camel Bactrian camel

2. a float attached to a vessel to increase its buoyancy See also caisson

3. a raft or float used as a fender between a vessel and a wharf

4. 1. a fawn colour

   2. ( as adjective )

      a camel dress

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camel Idioms  

1. see under last straw.

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Other Word Forms

• camellike adjective

Etymology

Origin of camel

before 950; Middle English, Old English < Latin camēlus < Greek kámēlos < Semitic; compare Hebrew gāmāl

Example Sentences

Hemedti, a camel trader turned successful businessman, accrued much wealth from his position as head of a powerful paramilitary force.

From BBC • Mar. 4, 2026

Until Friday, Amdjarass hosts dance troupes, musicians, traditional storytellers, craftspeople, cooks and nomadic camel drivers from across the vast region.

From Barron's • Feb. 10, 2026

Within a year she was already doing a camel spin and as she got better, her mother began setting her up with a succession of coaches.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 1, 2026

“I rode my favorite camel Asfar, a sweet-natured animal, into the Libyan oasis town of Murzuq.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 10, 2025

On the train ride over, Frankie had promised Bailey a camel ride.

From "The City Beautiful" by Aden Polydoros

Related Words

• cream
• khaki
• off-white
• tan
• taupe