blue gum

noun

: any of several Australian trees (genus Eucalyptus) that yield valuable timber

Illustration of blue gum

Illustration of blue gum

Examples of blue gum in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Also called blue gum, eucalyptus is a fast-growing tree native to Tasmania, an island state south of the Australian mainland. Alix Soliman, Hartford Courant, 3 Jan. 2024 During a recent downpour here on Kangaroo Island, burnt blue gum trees foamed mysteriously, as if soap suds had been sprayed over them. David Maurice Smith, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 June 2020 The blue gum trees, a native Australian variety, which made up most of the estate, more easily adapt to fires and have regrown shoots. Alice Uribe, WSJ, 26 Feb. 2021 My favorite was Tweety bird adorned with blue gum balls for eyes. Taylor Seely, azcentral, 11 May 2020 Scores of koalas — as well as many other animals — have been found injured or dead on a blue gum plantation in south-west Victoria, Australia after trees on the property were logged. Mélissa Godin, Time, 4 Feb. 2020 According to the Gavens, the property — recently returned to the landowner — was a blue gum tree plantation operating under a lease agreement. Jordan Culver, USA TODAY, 4 Feb. 2020 Eucalyptus trees are messy, especially blue gums, Eucalyptus globulus, the sort Lukens planted in Nipomo. The Economist, 18 Dec. 2019 The flammable, invasive blue gum eucalyptus trees that make up 42% of the park’s 300-acre historic forest are being replaced by the less volatile mountain gum. San Francisco Chronicle, 7 Jan. 2017

Word History

First Known Use

1802, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of blue gum was in 1802

Dictionary Entries Near blue gum

Cite this Entry

“Blue gum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/blue%20gum. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.

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