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  

/ 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

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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

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

camphor

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

They chose instead to landscape their subdivisions, apartment complexes, business parks, shopping centers and roadways with nonnative trees, including sweet gums, camphor, carrotwood, fig, and ficus trees — all favored by parrots.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 3, 2024

Awan said people often enjoy the cooling, tingling sensation from ingredients like peppermint oil, camphor and menthol, but they can cause irritation so you should avoid them.

From Seattle Times ● Feb. 5, 2024

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

From Salon ● Jan. 31, 2024

Many of the Japanese would scoop up or pluck the aromatic leaves and boil them and inhale the steam, claiming that it was good for colds; others felt that camphor steam could be harmful.

From "Endgame" by Frank Brady

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