Joshua tree

noun

: a tall branched arborescent yucca (Yucca brevifolia) of arid regions of the southwestern U.S. that has clustered greenish-white flowers

Illustration of Joshua tree

Illustration of joshua tree

Examples of Joshua tree in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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On the West Coast, California’s Joshua Tree was considered one of the most welcoming places for 2025, featuring nearly 800,000 acres of national park along with its eponymous and distinct Joshua tree (or yucca) forests. Alison Fox, Travel + Leisure, 28 Jan. 2025 When huge parts of the Inland Empire clamor for more housing, the same governor who wants to double the population of Huntington Beach won’t let other cities even move a single Joshua tree to accommodate homebuilding. Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Orange County Register, 27 Jan. 2025 At nearly 800,000 acres, Joshua Tree National Park features a whole host of amazing wonders, including Joshua tree (or yucca) forests, enormous rock formations, a cholla cactus garden, bighorn sheep, and tortoises. Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 12 Jan. 2025 The plan also outlines a collaborative co-management of Joshua trees and their habitat with the state’s Native American tribes. Ryan Fonseca, Los Angeles Times, 4 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for Joshua tree 

Word History

First Known Use

1884, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Joshua tree was in 1884

Dictionary Entries Near Joshua tree

Cite this Entry

“Joshua tree.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Joshua%20tree. Accessed 2 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

Joshua tree

noun
: a tall branched yucca of the southwestern U.S. with short leaves and clusters of greenish white flowers

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