citrus

American  

[si-truhs] / ˈsɪ trəs /

noun

plural

citruses

1. any small tree or spiny shrub of the genus Citrus, of the rue family, including the lemon, lime, orange, tangerine, grapefruit, citron, kumquat, and shaddock, widely cultivated for fruit or grown as an ornamental.

2. the tart-to-sweet, pulpy fruit of any of these trees or shrubs, having a characteristically smooth, shiny, stippled skin.

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adjective

1. Also citrous of or relating to such trees or shrubs, or their fruit.

citrus British  

/ ˈsɪtrəs /

noun

1. any tree or shrub of the tropical and subtropical rutaceous genus Citrus, which includes the orange, lemon, lime, grapefruit, citron, and calamondin

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adjective

1. of, relating to, or belonging to the genus Citrus or to the fruits of plants of this genus

citrus Scientific  

/ sĭt′rəs /

1. Any of various evergreen trees or shrubs bearing fruit with juicy flesh and a thick rind. Citrus trees are native to southern and southeast Asia but are grown in warm climates around the world. Many species have spines. The orange, lemon, lime, and grapefruit are citrus trees.

2. The usually edible fruit of one of these trees or shrubs.

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Etymology

Origin of citrus

1815–25; < New Latin, Latin: citron tree

Explanation

Oranges, grapefruits, lemons, and limes: all of these are fruits that belong to the citrus family. They share similar kinds of pulp, thick rinds, and the fact that they grow well in warm climates. If you live in Florida, then you know about citrus. Most of the country's oranges and other citrus come from Florida, with California a close second. But oranges aren't the only citrus fruits. There are lemons, limes, grapefruits, just to name just a few. You can recognize a citrus fruit by its brightly colored, thick, and peelable rind. Citrus fruits are juicy and pulpy and make for a great breakfast. Not for me, though. All the acid in citrus makes my stomach upset.

Example Sentences

These act as bases for such dishes as Puerto Rican mofongo, made with plantains mashed with pork cracklings, as well as Cuban yuca with mojo, a citrus and garlic sauce.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 17, 2026

The new rules say product descriptions containing the name of a citrus fruit, such as "lemon marmalade", will be allowed as an alternative.

From BBC • Apr. 2, 2026

A grate of orange zest — carrot and citrus are conspirators this time of year.

From Salon • Mar. 1, 2026

Benali added that sugar beet, citrus and vegetable farms had also been devastated by flooding.

From Barron's • Feb. 13, 2026

Tonight the wood filled the room with the almost imperceptible aroma of citrus and quenching iron.

From "The Name of the Wind" by Patrick Rothfuss