camel
Americannoun
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either of two large, humped, ruminant quadrupeds of the genus Camelus, of the Old World.
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a color ranging from yellowish tan to yellowish brown.
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Also called camel spin. Skating. a spin done in an arabesque position.
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Nautical.
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Also called pontoon. a float for lifting a deeply laden vessel sufficiently to allow it to cross an area of shallow water.
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a float serving as a fender between a vessel and a pier or the like.
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noun
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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
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a float attached to a vessel to increase its buoyancy See also caisson
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a raft or float used as a fender between a vessel and a wharf
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a fawn colour
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( as adjective )
a camel dress
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Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of camel
before 950; Middle English, Old English < Latin camēlus < Greek kámēlos < Semitic; compare Hebrew gāmāl
Explanation
A camel is a four-legged desert animal that's slightly larger than a horse. Camels are distinctive for the humps on their backs. There are two types of camels: the single-humped or dromedary and the two-humped camel. The first kind lives in the Middle East and parts of Africa, while the second is found in Central Asia. All camels are well-suited to life in the desert, going long periods without water and able to withstand high heat. The word camel comes from the Greek kamelos, and may be related to the Arabic jamala, "to bear."
Vocabulary lists containing camel
Africa - Introductory
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Africa - Middle School
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Africa - High School
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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.
In Lexington, Ky., Camel Club opened in the spring in a former art gallery featuring co-working spaces and a garden terrace.
From The Wall Street Journal • Sep. 30, 2025
Outfit details: Hand-me-down shirt, vintage Camel jacket, Target earrings and sunglasses.
From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 14, 2023
They would have, in all likelihood, been able to recognize the reference to a Sopwith Camel, the same way I would be able to visualize what a Stealth Bomber looks like.
From Salon • Oct. 30, 2023
Suzanne Camel, then a Stoneman Douglas math teacher, told the court she was in her classroom in an adjoining structure that faced the 1200 building.
From Seattle Times • Jun. 21, 2023
He swings the door open and walks to the row of trunks that obscures Camel.
From "Water for Elephants" by Sara Gruen
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
