camel

noun

cam·​el ˈka-məl 

plural camels

1

: any of three 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 camels (C. bactrianus and 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

• 1 dromedary
• 2 Bactrian camel

Examples of camel in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Its light camel and brown color scheme and baggy fit are shockingly similar to Drummond’s jacket, too. —Maggie Horton, People.com, 29 Oct. 2024

Softer tones work as a neutral against camel, brown and grey, while more vivid iterations add a punchy pop to any fall and winter look—think, a bright blue wool T-shirt teamed with a pair of chocolate brown pleated trousers. —Cortne Bonilla, Vogue, 15 Oct. 2024

The Red Ghost was said to be a massive, red-haired camel with a skeletal rider strapped to its back. —Tiffany Acosta, The Arizona Republic, 10 Oct. 2024

Indeed, the conclusion the film reaches gestures in this direction, with the sentiment that perhaps the most important thing is that the family experience quality time with each other, more than seeing giraffes and camels and hiking the Himalayas. —Catherine Bray, Variety, 4 Oct. 2024

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

Phrases Containing camel

• Bactrian camel
• camel hair
• camel's hair
• the straw that breaks/broke the camel's back

Kids Definition

camel

noun

cam·​el ˈkam-əl 

: either of two large cud-chewing mammals used for carrying burdens and for riding in desert regions especially of Africa and Asia:

a

: dromedary

b

: a two-humped camel of central Asia

called also Bactrian camel