tea tree

American  

noun

1. a tall shrub or small tree, Leptospermum scoparium, of the myrtle family, native to New Zealand and Australia, having silky foliage when young, and bell-shaped, white flowers: often planted to prevent beach erosion.

---

tea tree British  

noun

1. any of various myrtaceous trees of the genus Leptospermum, of Australia and New Zealand, that yield an oil used as an antiseptic

---

Etymology

Origin of tea tree

First recorded in 1750–60; so called from the use of its leaves as an infusion

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

tea tree

The aromatherapy head massage was a dry one, in which Nevins rubbed tingly feeling tea tree oil into my scalp and then applied an electronic, cephalopod-like device, its multiple arms whirling away tension.

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 21, 2024

Then I sanded the nail down and applied tea tree oil.

From Seattle Times ● Dec. 28, 2023

Zagorski also says that some plant-derived products are also known endocrine disruptors, lavender oil and tea tree oil being notable examples.

From National Geographic ● Sep. 6, 2023

Some deodorants marketed as “natural” use ingredients such as baking soda, activated charcoal and tea tree oil for their antimicrobial and deodorizing properties.

From Washington Post ● Nov. 28, 2022

The blue gum, she-oak, and cherry tree of Port Jackson were common here, and also one with the leaves of the gum tree, but with the soft bark of the tea tree.

From An Account of the English Colony in New South Wales, Volume 2 by Collins, David