ceiba

American  

[sey-buh, sahy-, they-bah, sey-] / ˈseɪ bə, ˈsaɪ-, ˈθeɪ βɑ, ˈseɪ- /

noun

plural

ceibas

1. the silk-cotton tree, Ceiba pentandra.

2. silk cotton; kapok.

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ceiba British  

/ ˈseɪbə /

noun

1. any bombacaceous tropical tree of the genus Ceiba, such as the silk-cotton tree

2. silk cotton; kapok

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Etymology

Origin of ceiba

First recorded in 1805–15; from Spanish, from Taíno ceyba or its cognate in another Arawakan language

Example Sentences

Here's a story about the 400-year-old ceiba tree on the Puerto Rican island of Vieques.

From Washington Post • Mar. 7, 2019

In one entrancing swath of forest, towering ceiba trees loom and hooting howler monkeys leap from branch to branch in the understory.

From Science Magazine • Apr. 26, 2018

Trees include California bay, eucalyptus, ash, oaks, ceiba, ginkgo, chitalpa and Italian and white pine.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 27, 2015

THE road to Atjoni got more interesting as the wind grew stronger, making the surrounding ceiba trees of the Surinamese jungle murmur with whispers of an impending storm.

From New York Times • Sep. 16, 2011

Tia Alicia took her to museums and the symphony and the ancient ceiba tree.

From "Dreaming in Cuban" by Cristina García