Camelot

[ kam-uh-lot ]

/ ˈkæm əˌlɒt /

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noun

the legendary site of King Arthur's palace and court, possibly near Exeter, England.

any idyllic place or period, especially one of great happiness.

the glamorous ambience of Washington, D.C., during the administration of President John F. Kennedy, 1961–63.

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

OTHER WORDS FROM Camelot

Cam·e·lot·i·an, adjective

Words nearby Camelot

camelid, camellia, camelopard, Camelopardalis, Camelopardus, Camelot, camel's hair, cameltoe, Camembert, Camenae, cameo

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

How to use Camelot in a sentence

Sure, Shalane Flanagan is a famous global athlete with books, endorsements, and more, but that doesn’t mean she lives in Camelot.
How Shalane Flanagan Ran Six Fast Marathons in Seven Weeks|jbeverly|January 1, 2022|Outside Online
These days the pool is empty, save for Petey the plastic penguin slash beer funnel floating in the snow, but the Chalet is a different kind of Camelot.
The Last Aspen Ski Bums Are About to Get Evicted|lwhelan|November 9, 2021|Outside Online
By the end of The Last Temptation of Christ, Jesus is old, and Jerusalem — like Camelot — is under siege.
The Green Knight is glorious and a little baffling. Let’s untangle it.|Alissa Wilkinson|July 30, 2021|Vox
She has signed on to reprise her role as Jackie Kennedy in the Reelz drama, The Kennedys: After Camelot.
How Can Katie Holmes Escape Tom Cruise—and ‘Dawson’s Creek’?|Tim Teeman|October 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST

In the early 1960s, the expectations were for more than just a new Camelot.
The Revolt Against the Masses and the Roots of Modern Liberalism|Fred Siegel|January 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But the Camelot image as applied to the Kennedy presidency had some unfortunate and unforeseen consequences.
How Jackie Kennedy Invented the Camelot Legend After JFK’s Death|James Piereson|November 12, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Mrs. Kennedy, interpreting the gist of the exchange, signaled to White that Camelot must be kept in the text.
How Jackie Kennedy Invented the Camelot Legend After JFK’s Death|James Piereson|November 12, 2013|DAILY BEAST
As Mrs. Kennedy said, “there will never be another Camelot.”
How Jackie Kennedy Invented the Camelot Legend After JFK’s Death|James Piereson|November 12, 2013|DAILY BEAST
In the morning the streets of Camelot were crowded with rich and poor.
Stories of King Arthur's Knights|Mary MacGregor
She thought he would refuse to do it, but he kissed and thanked her, and quickly made ready to go to Camelot.
The Library of Work and Play: Housekeeping|Elizabeth Hale Gilman
He journeyed a day and a night, and came to Camelot, the wonderful big city which he had never seen before.
The Library of Work and Play: Housekeeping|Elizabeth Hale Gilman
Then, at that time, King Arthur gave command that they should bend their ways toward Camelot once more.
The Story of the Champions of the Round Table|Howard Pyle
And then those knights of Cornwall who stood by said, "Yea, that is true, and it is Camelot."
The Story of the Champions of the Round Table|Howard Pyle

British Dictionary definitions for Camelot

Camelot

/ (ˈkæmɪˌlɒt) /

noun

(in Arthurian legend) the English town where King Arthur's palace and court were situated

(in the US) the supposedly golden age of the presidency of John F. Kennedy, 1961–63

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

Cultural definitions for Camelot

Camelot

In the legends of King Arthur (see also Arthur), the capital of his kingdom; truth, goodness, and beauty reigned in Camelot.

notes for Camelot

The administration of President John F. Kennedy is often idealized as an American Camelot.