Joshua tree

American  

noun

1. an evergreen tree, Yucca brevifolia, growing in arid or desert regions of the southwestern U.S., having long, twisted branches.

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Joshua tree British  

noun

1. a treelike desert yucca plant, Yucca brevifolia, of the southwestern US, with sword-shaped leaves and greenish-white flowers

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Etymology

Origin of Joshua tree

First recorded in 1895–1900

Example Sentences

Walking to the recently burned area, Cummings pointed to a young Joshua tree choked with dry grass.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 21, 2025

For a brief moment, it appeared the reviled Joshua tree would serve this purpose.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 18, 2025

The water district has conducted a Joshua tree census and paid a security, Ellsworth said.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 30, 2025

That law requires people who perform work that kills all or part of a Joshua tree to receive a permit and to pay mitigation fees for each tree harmed.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 16, 2025

While we were in Midland, Mom painted dozens of variations and studies of the Joshua tree.

From "The Glass Castle" by Jeannette Walls