tea

UK: /ˈtiː/ US: /ti/ ,(tē)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

tea /ti/   n. 

1. Plant Biology [uncountable] the dried and prepared leaves of an Asian shrub, used to make a beverage.
2. Plant Biology [uncountable] the shrub itself.
3. a bitter beverage prepared by adding tea leaves to boiling water:
   [uncountable] a cup of tea.
   [countable] I'll have two teas with sugar and lemon, please.
4. Plant Biology [uncountable] any kind of leaves, flowers, etc., so used, or any plant yielding them.
5. a snack or light meal, usually including tea, sandwiches, and cakes, eaten in the late afternoon:
   [uncountable] They had us over for tea.
   [countable] a lovely afternoon tea.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

tea  (tē), n. 

1. Plant Biology the dried and prepared leaves of a shrub, Camellia sinensis, from which a somewhat bitter, aromatic beverage is prepared by infusion in hot water.
2. Plant Biology the shrub itself, extensively cultivated in China, Japan, India, etc., and having fragrant white flowers. Cf. tea family. 
3. the beverage so prepared, served hot or iced.
4. Plant Biology any kind of leaves, flowers, etc., so used, or any plant yielding them.
5. any of various infusions prepared from the leaves, flowers, etc., of other plants, and used as beverages or medicines.
6. Food See beef bouillon. 
7. British Terms any meal, whether a light snack or one consisting of several courses, eaten in the late afternoon or in the evening;
   any meal other than dinner, eaten after the middle of the afternoon.
8. an afternoon reception at which tea is served.
9. Slang Terms marijuana.
10. one's cup of tea, something suitable, appropriate, or attractive to one:
    Horror movies and westerns are just not my cup of tea.

• dialect, dialectal Chinese (Xiamen) t'e, akin to Chinese chá
• 1590–1600; 1940–45 for def. 9;

tea′less, adj. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

tea / tiː/ noun

1. an evergreen shrub or small tree, Camellia sinensis, of tropical and subtropical Asia, having toothed leathery leaves and white fragrant flowers: family Theaceae
2. the dried shredded leaves of this shrub, used to make a beverage by infusion in boiling water
3. such a beverage, served hot or iced
4. any of various plants that are similar to Camellia sinensis or are used to make a tealike beverage
5. any such beverage
6. 
   Also called: afternoon tea a light meal eaten in mid-afternoon, usually consisting of tea and cakes, biscuits, or sandwiches
7. Also called: high tea afternoon tea that also includes a light cooked dish
8. the main evening meal
9. marijuana
10. tea and sympathy ⇒ a caring attitude, esp to someone in trouble

Etymology: 17th Century: from Chinese (Amoy) t'e, from Ancient Chinese d'a