California laurel

noun

: an evergreen Pacific coast tree (Umbellularia californica) of the laurel family with small umbellate flowers

Examples of California laurel 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.
Our colleague and gardening fan Jeanette Marantos gathered a panel of experts to recommend what to plant, including the Cleveland sage — with aromas from sweet to sharply savory — and the California laurel, a handsome forest tree that can grow from 6 to 60 feet tall. Laura Blasey, Los Angeles Times, 19 Nov. 2022 Even though its entire farm was burned down in the LNU Lightning Complex Fire, the owners know from a previous fire that its California laurel trees will come back. Chronicle Staff, SFChronicle.com, 10 Sep. 2020

Word History

First Known Use

1857, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of California laurel was in 1857

Dictionary Entries Near California laurel

Cite this Entry

“California laurel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/California%20laurel. Accessed 29 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on California laurel

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!