ailanthus

noun

ai·​lan·​thus ā-ˈlan(t)-thəs How to pronounce ailanthus (audio)
: any of a small Asian genus (Ailanthus of the family Simaroubaceae, the ailanthus family) of chiefly tropical trees and shrubs with bitter bark, pinnate leaves, and terminal panicles of ill-scented greenish flowers
especially : tree of heaven

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Kamarian (Austronesian language of the Piru Bay region, Seram) ai lanito, literally, the sky tree, or from a cognate phrase in a related central Moluccan language

First Known Use

1789, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of ailanthus was in 1789

Dictionary Entries Near ailanthus

Cite this Entry

“Ailanthus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ailanthus. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

ailanthus

noun
ai·​lan·​thus ā-ˈlan(t)-thəs How to pronounce ailanthus (audio)

Medical Definition

ailanthus

noun
ai·​lan·​thus ā-ˈlan(t)-thəs How to pronounce ailanthus (audio) ī- How to pronounce ailanthus (audio)
1
capitalized : a small genus of chiefly tropical Asian trees and shrubs (family Simaroubaceae) with bitter bark, pinnate leaves, and terminal panicles of ill-scented greenish flowers
especially : tree of heaven
2
: a tree of the genus Ailanthus
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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