noun
carob
KA-ruhb
Carob (noun) means an evergreen tree or shrub, Ceratonia siliqua, native to the Mediterranean region. Example: “Carob trees grow well in dry, rocky soil.”
noun
1
An evergreen tree or shrub, Ceratonia siliqua, native to the Mediterranean region.
"Carob trees grow well in dry, rocky soil."
"A row of carob trees lined the old farm track."
2
The pod produced by the carob tree.
"Farmers used to feed carob to their animals in winter."
"She snapped open a dried carob and tasted the pulp inside."
3
A sweet, chocolate-like food made from the pulp of the carob pod.
"The bar was made with carob instead of chocolate."
"He prefers carob to cocoa because it tastes milder."
How to use carob
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA Mediterranean tree, its pod, and a chocolate-like food made from that pod.
When to use it
It is an ordinary, neutral word used in cooking and gardening contexts alike.
Memory tip
Context tells you which sense is meant: the tree, the pod, or the sweet food.
Trace the full origin ↓
Common pairings
carob pod
carob powder
carob tree
carob bar
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_____ trees grow well in dry, rocky soil.
Etymology
Carob reached English through Middle French carobe. That word was borrowed from Arabic ḵarrūb, which in turn traces back to Classical Syriac ḥarrūḇā.
Synonyms
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bean tree
St. John's bread
algarroba
Frequently asked questions
What is carob?
It is both a Mediterranean tree, Ceratonia siliqua, and the pod it produces, which is also made into a chocolate-like food.
Is carob the same as chocolate?
No, carob is a separate food made from the pulp of the carob pod, though it is often used as a chocolate substitute.
Where does the word carob come from?
It came into English from Middle French, ultimately from Arabic and, before that, Classical Syriac.
What is the meaning of carob?
"carob" (noun) means an evergreen tree or shrub, Ceratonia siliqua, native to the Mediterranean region.
