Dictionary
camel
noun cam·el \ˈka-məl\
: a large animal of Africa and Asia that has a long neck and one or two large humps on its back and that is often used for desert travel
Full Definition of CAMEL
1
: either of two large ruminant mammals (genus Camelus) 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 —called also dromedary b : the 2-humped camel (C. bactrianus syn. C. ferus) of Chinese Turkestan and Mongolia —called also Bactrian camel
2
: a watertight structure used especially to lift submerged ships
3
: a light yellowish brown
See camel defined for English-language learners
See camel defined for kids
ADVERTISEMENT
Illustration of CAMEL
Origin of CAMEL
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 12th century
CAMEL Defined for Kids
camel
noun cam·el \ˈka-məl\
Definition of CAMEL for Kids
: a large hoofed animal that has one or two large humps on its back and is used in the deserts of Asia and Africa for carrying passengers and loads
Learn More About CAMEL
Browse
ADVERTISEMENT
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up camel? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).