camel

noun

cam·​el ˈka-məl How to pronounce camel (audio)
plural camels
1
: either of two large ruminant (see ruminant entry 1) mammals (genus Camelus) that have one or two large humps of stored fat on the back and are used as draft and saddle animals in desert regions especially of Africa and Asia:
a
: the one-humped camel (C. dromedarius) extant only as a domestic or feral animal : dromedary
b
: the 2-humped camel (C. bactrianus synonym C. ferus) of desert and steppe regions of northwestern China and southwestern Mongolia : bactrian camel
2
: a watertight structure used especially to lift submerged ships
3
: a light yellowish brown
4
a
: camel hair sense 2
"… So we're going to look for more luxury fabrics—cashmere, camel, alpaca and … lambswools."Paul Diamond
usually used before another noun
a genuine camel coat
b
: leather made from the skin of a camel
They all have four-digit price tags and are crafted from luxe leathers like buffalo, calfskin and camel.Georgina Safe
usually used before another noun
camel leather

Illustration of camel

Illustration of camel
  • 1 dromedary
  • 2 Bactrian camel

Examples of camel in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web On her: Dries Van Noten camel cotton coat, $1,690; Hermès red knitted cropped top, $1,800, bandeau, $1,800, and skirt (worn as a dress), $2,325; Hunter olive-leaf boots, $185; Tiffany & Co. Lock necklace in 18-karat yellow gold, $4,200. Alex Badia, Robb Report, 2 Mar. 2024 Visitors can wander the medina and souks comfortably although camel riding or exploring the sand dunes can still feel cool once the sun starts to set. Ramsey Qubein, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2024 In one image, an officer appears to be posing with some of the camels rescued. Kerry Breen, CBS News, 27 Jan. 2024 Deputy Joshua Kennedy, along with a member of the Shrine Circus, rescued five zebras, four camels, and a miniature horse, police said. Mike Snider, USA TODAY, 27 Jan. 2024 The northbound 2012 Volvo semi-truck and trailer carrying five zebras, four camels and a miniature horse pulled over in the northbound lane about 2 a.m. when the engine caught fire, said ISP Sgt. John Tuohy, The Indianapolis Star, 27 Jan. 2024 The bottoms of her camel pants were soaked from walking through puddles. Jia Tolentino, The New Yorker, 19 Feb. 2024 For this look, Markle wore a robe-style camel coat with an elegant pair of beige leather gloves. Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 17 Feb. 2024 The Al-Rajhi family parlayed a camel rental business into the world’s largest non-state Islamic bank, Al-Rajhi Bank, and is now one of the wealthiest families in the kingdom outside the royal family. Melvin Backman, Quartz, 16 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'camel.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English & Anglo-French, from Latin camelus, from Greek kamēlos, of Semitic origin; akin to Hebrew gāmāl camel

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of camel was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near camel

Cite this Entry

“Camel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/camel. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

camel

noun
cam·​el ˈkam-əl How to pronounce camel (audio)
: either of two large cud-chewing mammals used for carrying burdens and for riding in desert regions especially of Africa and Asia:
a
b
: a two-humped camel of central Asia

called also Bactrian camel

More from Merriam-Webster on camel

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