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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Mojave National Preserve Peak season: Mid-February to mid-May Mojave National Preserve is a vast, otherworldly expanse tucked between Interstates 15 and 40 in Southern California, where sand dunes, volcanic cinder cones, Joshua tree forests, and rugged mountains collide in one surreal landscape. Deb Hopewell, AFAR Media, 24 Mar. 2025 Joshua Tree National Park While better known for its iconic Joshua trees, this national park also hosts an unbelievable desert bloom. Allison Palmer, Sacramento Bee, 12 Mar. 2025 Some Joshua trees will, almost inevitably, be razed for solar farms. Sammy Roth, Los Angeles Times, 11 Mar. 2025 During the 35-day partial government shutdown in 2018 and 2019, when the parks stayed open but staffing was greatly reduced, there were reports of vandalism, looting, and environmental destruction, such as the cutting down of Joshua trees in their namesake park. Bailey Berg, AFAR Media, 20 Feb. 2025 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

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Cite this Entry

“Joshua tree.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Joshua%20tree. Accessed 4 Apr. 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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