eucalyptus

American  

[yoo-kuh-lip-tuhs] / ˌyu kəˈlɪp təs /

Also eucalypt

noun

plural

eucalypti, eucalyptuses

1. any of numerous often tall trees belonging to the genus Eucalyptus, of the myrtle family, native to Australia and adjacent islands, having aromatic evergreen leaves that are the source of medicinal oils and heavy wood used as timber.

---

eucalyptus British  

/ ˌjuːkəˈlɪptəs, ˈjuːkəˌlɪpt /

noun

1. any myrtaceous tree of the mostly Australian genus Eucalyptus, such as the blue gum and ironbark, widely cultivated for the medicinal oil in their leaves ( eucalyptus oil ), timber, and ornament

---

Other Word Forms

• eucalyptic adjective

Etymology

Origin of eucalyptus

1800–10; < New Latin < Greek eu- eu- + kalyptós covered, wrapped, akin to kalýptein to cover

Example Sentences

Common examples include species of acacia, eucalyptus, poplar, and pine.

From Science Daily • Feb. 9, 2026

Trails lead past old-fashioned greenhouses, beehives, and eucalyptus, palm and cork trees.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 30, 2025

Koalas infected with chlamydia are usually given antibiotics but the treatment means they cannot digest eucalyptus leaves - their only food source - leading to starvation and sometimes death.

From BBC • Sep. 9, 2025

The air smells faintly of printer toner and eucalyptus.

From Salon • Apr. 20, 2025

The wind blows the eucalyptus trees, a buoy clangs, a boat horn toots, Natalie drags her toes.

From "Al Capone Does My Shirts" by Gennifer Choldenko