grapefruit

American  

[greyp-froot] / ˈgreɪpˌfrut /

noun

1. a large, roundish, yellow-skinned, edible citrus fruit having a juicy, acid pulp.

2. the tropical or semitropical tree, Citrus paradisi, yielding this fruit.

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grapefruit British  

/ ˈɡreɪpˌfruːt /

noun

1. a tropical or subtropical cultivated evergreen rutaceous tree, Citrus paradisi

2. the large round edible fruit of this tree, which has yellow rind and juicy slightly bitter pulp

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Etymology

Origin of grapefruit

1805–15; grape + fruit, apparently from the resemblance of its clusters to those of grapes

Explanation

A grapefruit is a large citrus fruit that grows on a tree. Ripe grapefruits are very slightly sour, juicy, and delicious. The first grapefruits were an accident — they came from an inadvertent cross between an orange and a pomelo. Both of those species are native to Asia, but the grapefruit's accidental invention happened in Barbados some time in the 18th century. The name comes from the way the fruit clusters on the tree, close together like grapes, rather than its taste, which is a mixture of sweetness and acidity.

Example Sentences

As a result, Skubal worked 4 ⅔ innings in a Grapefruit League game in Dunedin, Fla., on Saturday.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 17, 2026

In the middle of the most boring part of the Cactus and Grapefruit Leagues, it’s like a Superhero League.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 15, 2026

Grapefruit trees in the UK typically fruit once a year, with ripening taking up to 12 months after flowering in late spring or summer.

From BBC • Aug. 8, 2025

He likes the proximity of the Cactus League parks as compared to the distance in the Grapefruit League in Florida.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 11, 2024

On March 17, they gave it another shot, and this time orbited a 3.24-pound satellite nicknamed Grapefruit.

From "October Sky" by Homer Hickam