balsam
noun
bal·sam ˈbȯl-səm 
1
a
: an aromatic and usually oily and resinous substance flowing from various plants
especially : any of several resinous substances containing benzoic or cinnamic acid and used especially in medicine
b
: a preparation containing resinous substances and having a balsamic odor
2
a
: a balsam-yielding tree
especially : balsam fir
b
: impatiens
especially : a common garden ornamental (Impatiens balsamina)
3
: balm sense 5
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web For viewing purposes, the finished plate would be turned upside down, and a prism was attached to the surface, typically with a Canada-balsam adhesive. 
Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 2 Aug. 2022 Eucalyptus, birch leaf, Canadian balsam leaf, glycerin and vitamin B5 work hard to clean and moisturize your body. Grooming Playbook, The Salt Lake Tribune, 25 May 2022 Over time, these give way to the middle notes of sage, fir balsam, nutmeg, and geranium. The Salt Lake Tribune, 18 May 2022 Scented with everything woodsy, like ginger, balsam and fir, this shampoo really does just smell warm. Grooming Playbook, The Salt Lake Tribune, 16 May 2022 Natural ingredients like stimulating eucalyptus, refreshing birch leaf, and soothing Canadian balsam leave skin refreshed and enlivened. The Salt Lake Tribune, 29 Mar. 2022 The forest is thick with undisturbed birch, aspen, basswood, balsam and spruce. Jennifer Bjorhus, Star Tribune, 10 July 2021 Firs such as Fraser, balsam, noble and concolor retain their needles the longest and make great cut trees. Tim Johnson, chicagotribune.com, 11 Dec. 2021 Inspired by the speakeasy culture of 1930s Prohibition, this creative, woody fragrance brings a retro vibe to happy hour with essences of juniper, gin, red currant, balsam, oak, cypress and cedar. Bianca Salonga, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2021 See More
Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 2 Aug. 2022 Eucalyptus, birch leaf, Canadian balsam leaf, glycerin and vitamin B5 work hard to clean and moisturize your body. Grooming Playbook, The Salt Lake Tribune, 25 May 2022 Over time, these give way to the middle notes of sage, fir balsam, nutmeg, and geranium. The Salt Lake Tribune, 18 May 2022 Scented with everything woodsy, like ginger, balsam and fir, this shampoo really does just smell warm. Grooming Playbook, The Salt Lake Tribune, 16 May 2022 Natural ingredients like stimulating eucalyptus, refreshing birch leaf, and soothing Canadian balsam leave skin refreshed and enlivened. The Salt Lake Tribune, 29 Mar. 2022 The forest is thick with undisturbed birch, aspen, basswood, balsam and spruce. Jennifer Bjorhus, Star Tribune, 10 July 2021 Firs such as Fraser, balsam, noble and concolor retain their needles the longest and make great cut trees. Tim Johnson, chicagotribune.com, 11 Dec. 2021 Inspired by the speakeasy culture of 1930s Prohibition, this creative, woody fragrance brings a retro vibe to happy hour with essences of juniper, gin, red currant, balsam, oak, cypress and cedar. Bianca Salonga, Forbes, 12 Dec. 2021 See More Word History
Etymology
Latin balsamum, from Greek balsamon, probably of Semitic origin; akin to Hebrew bāshām balsam
First Known Use
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Phrases Containing balsam
Kids Definition
balsam
noun
bal·sam ˈbȯl-səm
1
: a material with a strong pleasant smell that oozes from some plants
2
: a fir tree that yields balsam
Medical Definition
balsam
noun
bal·sam ˈbȯl-səm
1
a
: an aromatic and usually oily and resinous substance flowing from various plants
especially : any of several resinous substances containing benzoic or cinnamic acid and used especially in medicine
b
: a preparation containing resinous substances and having a balsamic odor
2
: a balsam-yielding tree
3
: balm sense 3