baobab
noun
bao·bab ˈbau̇-ˌbab 
ˈbā-ə-ˌbab
ˈbā-ə-ˌbab : 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
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web One hundred and fifty thousand shoots of drought-resistant acacia, hardy baobab and Moringa spill out of their black plastic casings. 
Aryn Baker / Mbar Toubab, Time, 12 Sep. 2019 The gang would then relocate to the park’s semiarid Savuti region, a landscape of baobab trees and rocky outcrops where dense herds of zebra and buffalo congregate at watering holes and try not to get picked off by the Savuti lion pride. Paul Kvinta, Outside Online, 1 Apr. 2020 To conduct the study, researchers combed books, articles, and the internet and asked local Africans in order to locate the biggest baobabs. Elizabeth Pennisi, Science | AAAS, 11 June 2018 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, 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, 18 July 2018 Over the years, the scientists have found that big African baobab specimens always have multiple stems. Amina Khan, latimes.com, 11 June 2018 For two decades, the Sunland baobab attracted tourists wanting to knock back a pint in a tree. National Geographic, 11 June 2018 This isn’t just a case of these baobabs reaching the ends of their lifespans. Avery Thompson, Popular Mechanics, 13 June 2018 See More
Aryn Baker / Mbar Toubab, Time, 12 Sep. 2019 The gang would then relocate to the park’s semiarid Savuti region, a landscape of baobab trees and rocky outcrops where dense herds of zebra and buffalo congregate at watering holes and try not to get picked off by the Savuti lion pride. Paul Kvinta, Outside Online, 1 Apr. 2020 To conduct the study, researchers combed books, articles, and the internet and asked local Africans in order to locate the biggest baobabs. Elizabeth Pennisi, Science | AAAS, 11 June 2018 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, 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, 18 July 2018 Over the years, the scientists have found that big African baobab specimens always have multiple stems. Amina Khan, latimes.com, 11 June 2018 For two decades, the Sunland baobab attracted tourists wanting to knock back a pint in a tree. National Geographic, 11 June 2018 This isn’t just a case of these baobabs reaching the ends of their lifespans. Avery Thompson, Popular Mechanics, 13 June 2018 See More Word History
Etymology
New Latin bahobab
First Known Use
1640, in the meaning defined above
Medical Definition
baobab
noun
bao·bab ˈbau̇-ˌbab ˈbā-ə-ˌbab
ˈbā-ə-ˌbab : 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