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Definition of bactrian camel
bactrian camel
Plural:bactrian camels
bactrian camel Lexical Profile
CEFR
B2
Grade
5
Tier
2
Usage
Rare
• noun
1
A large, heavily built, two-humped camel species native to the steppes and cold deserts of Central Asia, noted for its thick coat and tolerance to extreme temperature variations.
Example
"During the expedition across the Gobi Desert, the researchers relied on a sturdy Bactrian camel to transport their equipment through the freezing night."
Synonyms
View all synonyms for bactrian camelWord Nuance & Usage
Often confused with the dromedary; the Bactrian camel is easily distinguished by having two humps on its back rather than one.
Word Origin & Etymology
Named after Bactria, an ancient historical region in Central Asia where these animals were domesticated and utilized along the Silk Road. 'Camel' derives from Latin 'camelus', ultimately from a Semitic root.
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Bactrian camel. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 12, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/bactrian camel