pawpaw

noun

paw·​paw
variants or less commonly papaw
1
2
ˈpä-(ˌ)pȯ How to pronounce pawpaw (audio)
ˈpȯ-
: a North American tree (Asimina triloba) of the custard-apple family with purple flowers and an edible green-skinned fruit
also : its fruit

Examples of pawpaw in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Ron Powell shares research of pawpaw trees on his Adams County farm. Luann Gibbs, The Enquirer, 27 Oct. 2024 Indigenous peoples would have been well-equipped to cultivate peaches from experience with other tree crops such as pawpaws and chestnuts, Holland-Lulewicz says. Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 25 Oct. 2024 Another option is to place more emphasis on soft masts, such as apples, crabapples, pawpaws, pears, persimmons, and more. Josh Honeycutt, Outdoor Life, 17 Oct. 2024 Freeze pawpaw pulp: Remove seeds from the pawpaws and scoop out the pulp. Catherine Jessee, Southern Living, 3 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for pawpaw 

Word History

Etymology

probably modification of Spanish papaya

First Known Use

1624, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of pawpaw was in 1624

Dictionary Entries Near pawpaw

Cite this Entry

“Pawpaw.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pawpaw. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

pawpaw

noun
paw·​paw
variants also papaw
1
pə-ˈpȯ
: papaya
2
ˈpäp-(ˌ)ȯ,
ˈpȯp-
: a North American tree having purple flowers and an edible fruit with green skin
also : its fruit

Medical Definition

pawpaw

variant of papaw

More from Merriam-Webster on pawpaw

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