kamala

American

[kuh-mey-luh, kam-uh-luh, kuhm-] / kəˈmeɪ lə, ˈkæm ə lə, ˈkʌm- /

noun

a powder from the capsules of an East Indian tree, Mallotus philippinensis, of the spurge family, used as a yellow dye and in medicine as an anthelmintic.

kamala British

/ ˈkæmələ, kəˈmɑːlə /

noun

an East Indian euphorbiaceous tree, Mallotus philippinensis
a powder obtained from the seed capsules of this tree, used as a dye and formerly as a worm powder

"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 kamala

Borrowed into English from Sanskrit around 1810–20

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.

Five rural majority-Latino counties saw more votes cast for Democrats than for Kamala Harris two years ago.

From Salon

The funeral service drew an extraordinary lineup of national figures, including former presidents Barack Obama, Joe Biden and Bill Clinton, along with former vice president Kamala Harris and former secretary of state Hillary Clinton.

From Salon

Vice President Kamala Harris was designated border czar.

From The Wall Street Journal

Gavin Newsom and Kamala Harris have long circled one another.

From Los Angeles Times

Gavin Newsom and Kamala Harris have traveled parallel political paths in California, with both rising through similar positions and competing for the same Democratic donors and advisors before Harris ascended to the vice presidency.

From Los Angeles Times

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