holm oak

American

noun

an evergreen oak, Quercus ilex, of southern Europe, having foliage resembling that of the holly.

holm oak British

noun

Also called: holm. holly oak. ilex. an evergreen Mediterranean oak tree, Quercus ilex, widely planted for ornament: the leaves are holly-like when young but become smooth-edged with age

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of holm oak

First recorded in 1590–1600

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The Tree of Freedom in Rab, Croatia, is a 105-year-old holm oak that stands as a symbol of community and heritage.

From BBC • Mar. 19, 2025

For each protein, he pairs a fuel with the precision of a sommelier, selecting holm oak for delicate shellfish and turning to heartier vine wood for red meats.

From New York Times • Nov. 17, 2022

Purple crocus flowers bloomed in groves of holm oak, and broom shrubs burst with yellow blooms.

From Washington Post • May 13, 2022

Flames ran through hectares of cork and holm oak forests that are native to the region.

From New York Times • Jul. 26, 2021

He was returning to the house, when someone called his name from underneath the holm oak.

From The Island Pharisees by Galsworthy, John

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023