papaya

[ puh-pah-yuh ]

noun

1. the large, yellow, melonlike fruit of a tropical American shrub or small tree, Carica papaya, eaten raw or cooked.
2. the tree itself.

papaya

/ pəˈpaɪə /

noun

1. a Caribbean evergreen tree, Carica papaya, with a crown of large dissected leaves and large green hanging fruit: family Caricaceae
2. the fruit of this tree, having a yellow or reddish orange sweet edible pulp and small black seeds

Derived Forms

• paˈpayan, adjective

Other Words From

• pa·payan adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of papaya¹

1760–70; < Spanish < Carib (Hispaniola)

Word History and Origins

Origin of papaya¹

C15 papaye, from Spanish papaya, from an American Indian language; compare Carib ababai

Example Sentences

Lin’s team tried gentler approaches, one of which used lower temperatures and a papaya enzyme, to help dissolve the silk’s coating.

From Science News

A ringspot virus, for instance, threatens papaya fruit trees in Taiwan.

From Science News For Students

Chunks of pineapple, papaya and pear add a tropical flavor to the preparation.

From Washington Blade

There are also enzyme exfoliants, which come from fruits such as papaya, pineapple and pumpkin.

From Washington Post

Thus we were thrilled when the New York–based Papaya King opened its first West Coast location in Hollywood in late May.

From The Daily Beast

Papaya and Arugula Salad by Anne Byrn The Dinner Doctor offers a salad to please both the palate and the eye.

From The Daily Beast

Papaya is not as sweet as mango or peach, but it gives a salad great texture, flavor, and color.

From The Daily Beast

Merian has figured the caterpillar of another moth which feeds upon the Papaw-tree (Carica Papaya) with similar hairs.

From Project Gutenberg

As dessert a great dish of fresh papaya cut up into squares and soaking in its own juice, was served.

From Project Gutenberg

In some countries they wrap meat in papaya leaves for several hours before eating in order to soften it.

From Project Gutenberg

“Santa Ana's house is full of bullets” is rather pretty description for the papaya.

From Project Gutenberg

Another valuable fruit indigenous to this country is the Papaia (Carica papaya).

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• cantaloupe
• gourd
• watermelon