camphor

American  

[kam-fer] / ˈkæm fər /

noun

Chemistry, Pharmacology.

1. a whitish, translucent, crystalline, pleasant-odored terpene ketone, C 10 H 16 O, obtained from the camphor tree, used chiefly in the manufacture of celluloid and in medicine as a counter-irritant for infections and in the treatment of pain and itching.

2. any substance having medicinal or aromatic characteristics similar to those of camphor.

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camphor British  

/ kæmˈfɒrɪk, ˈkæmfə /

noun

1. a whitish crystalline aromatic terpene ketone obtained from the wood of the camphor tree or made from pinene: used in the manufacture of celluloid and in medicine as a liniment and treatment for colds. Formula: C 10 H 16 O

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camphor Scientific  

/ kăm′fər /

1. A white, gumlike, crystalline compound that has a strong odor. Camphor is volatile and is used as an insect repellent and in making plastics and explosives. Chemical formula: C ₁₀ H ₁₆ O.

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Other Word Forms

• camphoraceous adjective
• camphoric adjective

Etymology

Origin of camphor

1275–1325; < Medieval Latin, New Latin camphora ≪ Arabic kāfūr < Malay kapur chalk, lime, camphor; replacing Middle English caumfre < Anglo-French < Medieval Latin

Example Sentences

As a rookie reporter, I often witnessed the frenzied brotherhood at first day, first-show screenings: coins tossed at the screen, camphor burnt, flowers showered, cut-outs doused in milk, fans screaming his name.

From BBC • Aug. 14, 2025

This herb smells like anise — notes of lemon, pine, sage, black pepper and camphor abound.

From Salon • Jan. 31, 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

“I’ve given you enough for some baby aspirin and camphor, but there's a little extra there, too.”

From "The Red Umbrella" by Christina Gonzalez