tea tree

noun

1

: any of various Australasian shrubs or small trees (genus Leptospermum) of the myrtle family that form dense thickets and have aromatic evergreen foliage

2

: any of various melaleucas (especially Melaleuca alternifolia) with aromatic leaves that yield an essential oil used especially as an antiseptic

Examples of tea tree in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Using shampoos containing 5% tea tree oil for 3-10 minutes is generally safe for the skin.14 Prescription Treatments Healthcare providers may prescribe medications to manage recurrent or severe cases of wet dandruff. —Lindsay Curtis, Health, 5 Feb. 2025

As Berry noted above, other growth-enhancing ingredients include tea tree oil, peptides, and ceramides. —Jenny Berg, Vogue, 4 Feb. 2025

This number is especially equipped to stop breakouts in their tracks, and that's because tea tree oil is highly effective in killing acne-causing bacteria. —Sarah Han, Allure, 14 Jan. 2025

To improve your home air quality, Graham recommends mixing ten parts white vinegar with 1 part tea tree oil and soaking a thin microfiber cloth. —Sophie Flaxman, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

from the use of an infusion of their leaves as a beverage

First Known Use

1790, in the meaning defined at sense 1