sweet bay

American  

noun

1. laurel.

2. an American magnolia, Magnolia virginiana, having large oblong leaves and fragrant, white flowers, common on the Atlantic coast.

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sweet bay British  

noun

1. Sometimes shortened to: bay.  a small tree, Magnolia virginiana, of SE North America, having large fragrant white flowers: family Magnoliaceae (magnolias)

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Etymology

Origin of sweet bay

First recorded in 1710–20

Example Sentences

A flatbed trailer was loaded with scores of potted native trees: Shumard oak, yellow poplar, persimmon, Eastern red cedar, sweet bay magnolia.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 26, 2021

The salt sea-wind whistled and curled through the crested waves, blowing in perfumed puffs across thickets of sweet bay and cedar.

From In Search of the Unknown by Chambers, Robert W. (Robert William)

It's made from the leaves of the sweet bay tree, which grows on all these islands and all over this country.

From Dick in the Everglades by Dimock, A. W.

The oil produced is the oil of bay laurel, oil of sweet bay.

From Scientific American Supplement, No. 643, April 28, 1888 by Various

Tie a small quantity of thyme, sweet bay leaves and parsley in a bit of cloth.

From Stevenson Memorial Cook Book by Various