durian

American  

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

Or durion

noun

durians plural

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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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• durians
  plural

Etymology

Origin of durian

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

Explanation

If you're traveling in Southeast Asia and you come upon an odd oval fruit that looks like a green porcupine, you have found a durian. Don't be put off by its bad smell; the inside is delicious. Although the durian has only been known by the Western world since the 16th Century, its history goes back to prehistoric times. The name comes from the Malay root word duri, meaning "thorn" or "prickle," an allusion to its spiny outer covering. Its genus, Durio, has around 30 species, and the color of the edible inside varies from creamy to red. Foodies have compared its taste to a fine custard flavored with almonds, and even the seeds are edible.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

durian durians

But while durian lovers feast, Malaysian farmers are chagrined.

From BBC ● Jun. 29, 2026

This sentiment is shared by Han Sing Keng, a durian farmer and seller in Malaysia's Johor state, who says many of the durians flooding the market at throwaway prices are "not qualified for export".

From BBC ● Jun. 29, 2026

Unseasonal or unusually heavy rain or winds can impact pollination, he explains, and then durian trees typically need about a month of hot weather to flower, but cooler temperatures for harvest.

From BBC ● Jun. 29, 2026

The trees in the newer farms have reached maturity around the same time, resulting in a glut that has depressed prices across the Malaysian durian market and impacted exports.

From BBC ● Jun. 29, 2026

Somkit was the only kid in Namwon who didn’t mind the smell of durian.

From "A Wish in the Dark" by Christina Soontornvat

Customers in Malaysia and neighbouring Singapore are swarming fruit stalls where durians are being sold at huge discounts or, if they are lucky, given away for free.

From BBC ● Jun. 29, 2026

Also on the heavily discounted list are premium varieties like Black Thorn, but the cheapest are the "kampung durians", which are so low on the pecking order that they are yet to be named.

From BBC ● Jun. 29, 2026

Today it's better known as the land of the Musang King — a buttery, bittersweet variety that the Chinese have dubbed the "Hermès of durians", as prized as the French fashion house.

From BBC ● Jan. 10, 2026

"Even if only 2% of Chinese people want to buy durians, that's more than enough business," says Chee Seng Wong, factory manager of Fresco Green, a durian exporter in Raub.

From BBC ● Jan. 10, 2026

“Tell him I don’t like durians, Bob Roberts,” said Tom, nervously, “or we shall have another row.”

From Middy and Ensign by Rowlandson, G. D.