Joshua tree

noun

an evergreen tree, Yucca brevifolia, growing in arid or desert regions of the southwestern U.S., having long, twisted branches.
Also called tree yucca.

Origin of Joshua tree

First recorded in 1895–1900

Example sentences from the Web for joshua tree

  • We doubled back through the willows and across the mesquite flat toward the lone Joshua-tree where I had left my horse.

    The Killer |Stewart Edward White

  • "I have my horse tied out by the lone Joshua-tree," I answered him.

    The Killer |Stewart Edward White

British Dictionary definitions for joshua tree

Joshua tree

noun

a treelike desert yucca plant, Yucca brevifolia, of the southwestern US, with sword-shaped leaves and greenish-white flowers

Word Origin for Joshua tree

named after the prophet Joshua, alluding to the extended branches of the tree