<p><strong>Noun</strong></p><ul><li>Also called gum benjamin</li><li>a reddish-brown, aromatic balsamic resin occurring in almondlike fragments and having a vanillalike odor, obtained from trees of the genus Styrax, especially S. benzoin, of Java, Sumatra, etc.: used in the manufacture of perfume and cosmetics and in medicine internally as an expectorant and externally as an antiseptic.</li><li>Also called benjamin, benjamin-bush</li><li>any plant belonging to the genus Lindera (Benzoin), of the laurel family, including the spicebush and similar aromatic plants.</li></ul>