Phrase guide

tree of heaven

noun · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

noun

Meaning 1

An Asiatic tree, Ailanthus altissima, having foliage similar to that of the sumacs and ill-scented staminate flowers, much used in traditional Chinese medicine, but considered invasive and often subject to control efforts.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: ailanthus, ashcan tree, Chinese sumac, copal tree, ghetto palm, heavenwood, paradise tree, stink tree, stinking chun, stinking sumac, varnish tree

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

deciduous rapidly growing tree of China with foliage like sumac and sweetish fetid flowers; widely planted in United States as a street tree because of its resistance to pollution

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: tree of the gods, Ailanthus altissima

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: ailanthus

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

15 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Bulgarian: айлант (ajlant) — Ailanthus altissima
  • Bulgarian: обикновен айлант (obiknoven ajlant) — Ailanthus altissima
  • Bulgarian: китайски ясен (kitajski jasen) — Ailanthus altissima
  • Bulgarian: див орех (div oreh) — Ailanthus altissima
  • Chinese Mandarin: 臭椿 (chòuchūn) — Ailanthus altissima
  • Chinese Mandarin: 樗 (chū) — Ailanthus altissima
  • Czech: pajasan žláznatý — Ailanthus altissima
  • Esperanto: ailanto — Ailanthus altissima
  • Finnish: jumaltenpuu — Ailanthus altissima
  • French: ailante glanduleux — Ailanthus altissima
  • Japanese: 庭漆 (niwa-urushi) — Ailanthus altissima
  • Japanese: 神樹 (shinju) — Ailanthus altissima
  • Kazakh: айлант (ailant) — Ailanthus altissima
  • Maltese: xumakk falz — Ailanthus altissima
  • Persian: عرعر ('ara'r) — Ailanthus altissima