camphor tree

American  

noun

1. a tree, Cinnamomum camphora, of the laurel family, grown in eastern Asia and yielding camphor.

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camphor tree British  

noun

1. a lauraceous evergreen E Asian tree, Cinnamomum camphora, whose aromatic wood yields camphor

2. any similar tree, such as the dipterocarpaceous tree Dryobalanops aromatica of Borneo

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Etymology

Origin of camphor tree

First recorded in 1600–10

Example Sentences

There was a final and unexpected challenge, when Pham and Solberg were forced to remove a large camphor tree that provided privacy and filtered shade in their backyard.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 15, 2024

Over there was the camphor tree, where a giant Totoro lay regally beside some oversize donguri.

From New York Times • Jul. 19, 2023

I serially misidentified a row of New Zealand Christmas trees, a sweetgum and a camphor tree, none of which look like a deodar cedar, which is immensely tall, with gracefully spaced, almost perpendicular branches.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 1, 2023

In “Totoro,” the camphor tree is what initially draws the father to the family’s future house.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 9, 2021

Standing under a huge spreading camphor tree, a graceful form was there, clear cut against the dark foliage, and seeming to float upon the tender green of the dewy grass.

From A Fascinating Traitor An Anglo-Indian Story by Savage, Richard