Illustration of camel
- 1 dromedary
- 2 Bactrian camel
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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 nounPaul Diamonda 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 nounGeorgina Safecamel leather
Examples of camel in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Our favorites include sumptuous, suede options that truly never go out of style, such as Loeffler Randall’s camel booties and the perfect, black knee-highs from Vince.
—Kristina Rutkowski, Vogue, 8 Oct. 2024
Run by Our Streets (the group that organized Open Streets until this year), the event includes an artisan festival, plenty of local food vendors, puppet fashion show, camel rides and an Afrobeat dance party.
—Audrey Kennedy, Axios, 5 Sep. 2024
In Morocco, Spencer held meetings with King Hassan and was tasked with wrangling 800 camels and riders and 600 other men to play the foot soldiers for the film’s awe-inspiring battle scenes.
—Mike Barnes, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Sep. 2024
Deputies had responded to a call regarding a guest allegedly bitten by a camel at Tennessee Safari Park, a drive and walk through zoo, in Alamo.
—Marlene Lenthang, NBC News, 3 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for camel 
Kristina Rutkowski, Vogue, 8 Oct. 2024
Run by Our Streets (the group that organized Open Streets until this year), the event includes an artisan festival, plenty of local food vendors, puppet fashion show, camel rides and an Afrobeat dance party.
—Audrey Kennedy, Axios, 5 Sep. 2024
In Morocco, Spencer held meetings with King Hassan and was tasked with wrangling 800 camels and riders and 600 other men to play the foot soldiers for the film’s awe-inspiring battle scenes.
—Mike Barnes, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Sep. 2024
Deputies had responded to a call regarding a guest allegedly bitten by a camel at Tennessee Safari Park, a drive and walk through zoo, in Alamo.
—Marlene Lenthang, NBC News, 3 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for camel
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'camel.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near camel
cameist
camel
camel's hay
See More Nearby Entries 
Cite this Entry
“Camel.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/camel. Accessed 23 Oct. 2024.
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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
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