durian

American  

[door-ee-uhn, -ahn] / ˈdʊər i ən, -ˌɑn /

Or durion

noun

1. the edible fruit of a tree, Durio zibethinus, of the bombax family, of southeastern Asia, having a hard, prickly rind, a highly flavored, pulpy flesh, and an unpleasant odor.

2. the tree itself.

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durian British  

/ ˈdjʊərɪən /

noun

1. a SE Asian bombacaceous tree, Durio zibethinus, having very large oval fruits with a hard spiny rind containing seeds surrounded by edible evil-smelling aril

2. the fruit of this tree, which has an offensive smell but a pleasant taste: supposedly an aphrodisiac

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Etymology

Origin of durian

1580–90; < Malay: a fruit with spiky skin, equivalent to duri thorn + -an nominalizer suffix

Example Sentences

And then Vietnamese farmers pivoted to a smelly, yellow fruit - the durian.

From BBC

“There’s fruits, jackfruit and durian, these look like ‘Avatar’ fruits,’” Mulaney joked.

From Los Angeles Times

This so-called "king of all fruits" is considered a delicacy across its native Southeast Asia, where durian season is currently in full swing.

From Salon

In Chanthaburi, Thailand, a small distribution center is brimming with durians.

From New York Times

China’s demand for durian has razed landscapes and made fortunes in Southeast Asia.

From New York Times