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

The holm oak, ilex, is so called from its holly-like leaves.

From The Romance of Names by Weekley, Ernest

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