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Definition of kigelia
kigelia
/kɪˈdʒiːliə/
ki · ge · li · a
Plural:kigelias
kigelia Lexical Profile
CEFR
C2
Grade
12
Tier
3
Usage
Rare
• noun
1
An African tree (Kigelia africana) in the bignonia family, commonly known as the sausage tree, famous for its large, woody, pendulous fruits that resemble thick sausages.
Example
"We parked our safari vehicle under the vast canopy of a kigelia, careful to avoid the heavy fruits hanging from its branches."
Word Nuance & Usage
Often capitalized as 'Kigelia' when referring strictly to the botanical genus, but written in lowercase when referring broadly to the plant in everyday contexts.
• Rhymes for kigelia
Word Origin & Etymology
Derived from the Mozambican Bantu name 'kigeli-keia', formalized into botanical Latin in the early 19th century.
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Kigelia. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 12, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/kigelia