neem

American  

[neem] / nim /

1. a product of the seeds of a tropical tree, Azadirachta indica, of the mahogany family, that disrupts reproduction in insects, used as an insecticide.

2. Also called nim tree, margosa.  Also called neem tree,.  the tree itself.

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neem British  

/ niːm /

noun

1. a large tree of India, Azadirachta indica , all parts of which are useful to man: the leaves act as a natural pesticide, the fruit and seeds yield a medicinal oil, the bark is used to make a tonic, and the trunk exudes a gum

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Etymology

Origin of neem

1805–15; < Hindi nīm < Sanskrit nimba

Example Sentences

"Some plants don't want neem oil on their foliage, and for those, I just use water and microfiber gloves," he says.

From Salon • May 8, 2022

To eradicate thrips, Lalicata washes her plants in the shower and treats the leaves with an insecticide or neem oil.

From Washington Post • Nov. 17, 2021

Spray neem oil a few days later to prevent further pests.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 15, 2021

Occasionally we set up parallel photo shoots, Chewie on my mango tree, Nozy swinging on Bishan’s neem tree, learning to somehow do things together while forced to live apart.

From New York Times • Jul. 16, 2021

Rani doesn't have tooth powder, but she shows me how to brush my teeth with a fresh twig from a neem tree.

From "Born Behind Bars" by Padma Venkatraman