baobab
noun
bao·bab
| \ ˈbau̇-ˌbab
, ˈbā-ə-ˌbab
\
, ˈbā-ə-ˌbab
\
Definition of baobab
: a broad-trunked tropical tree (Adansonia digitata) of the silk-cotton family that is native to Africa and has an edible acidic fruit resembling a gourd and bark used in making paper, cloth, and rope
also
: any of several related trees chiefly of Madagascar and Australia
Examples of baobab in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Many travelers might conjure up visions of tented camps, gourmet meals under a baobab tree, game drives through golden savanna, and sundowners at the end of the day. — Kitson Jazynka, National Geographic, "17 unforgettable African safaris," 14 June 2019 Miavana is reachable by a helicopter ride that begins in Diego Suarez, Madagascar’s northernmost port, and swoops southeast across parkland dotted with a baobab species that grows only on these slopes. — Tom Downey, WSJ, "Exploring Madagascar Is Now Easier Than Ever," 18 July 2018 Over the years, the scientists have found that big African baobab specimens always have multiple stems. — Amina Khan, latimes.com, "Africa's baobab trees can live for more than 1,000 years, but the oldest and largest of them are dying," 11 June 2018 For two decades, the Sunland baobab attracted tourists wanting to knock back a pint in a tree. — National Geographic, "Africa's Oldest Trees Are Dying, and Scientists Are Stumped," 11 June 2018 This isn’t just a case of these baobabs reaching the ends of their lifespans. — Avery Thompson, Popular Mechanics, "The World's Ancient Baobab Trees Are Dying, And We Don't Know Why," 13 June 2018 The tree-house-like stilted bungalows of Asilia’s Jabali Ridge—enclosed by teak louvered shutters and nest-like gum-wood-branch roofs—hide between boulders on a soaring granite outcrop, giving panoramic views of plains and otherworldly baobabs. — Andrew Sessa, Condé Nast Traveler, "Ruaha: The African National Park You'll Have Almost All to Yourself," 11 Oct. 2018 The baobab had short sticks jammed into its trunk, forming a perilous ladder that the Hadza climbed to raid beehives. — WSJ, "Hunting in Tanzania the Way Our Earliest Ancestors Did," 9 Oct. 2018 Thirsty elephants often strip a baobab of its bark and wood to get their moisture. — Washington Post, "Africa’s iconic baobab trees dying off at alarming rate," 13 July 2018These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'baobab.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for baobab
baobab
noun
bao·bab
| \ ˈbau̇-ˌbab
, ˈbā-ə-ˌbab
\
, ˈbā-ə-ˌbab
\
Medical Definition of baobab
: a broad-trunked Old World tropical tree (Adansonia digitata) of the silk-cotton family (Bombacaceae) with an edible acid fruit resembling a gourd, leaves and bark formerly used medicinally, and bark that is used in making paper, cloth, and rope