guava

American  

[gwah-vuh] / ˈgwɑ və /

noun

guavas plural

1. any of numerous tropical and subtropical American trees or shrubs belonging to the genus Psidium, of the myrtle family, especially P. guajava, bearing large, yellow, round to pear-shaped fruit, and P. littorale, bearing smaller, yellowish to deep-red, oval fruit.

2. the fruit, used for making jam, jelly, etc.

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guava British  

/ ˈɡwɑːvə /

noun

1. any of various tropical American trees of the myrtaceous genus Psidium, esp P. guajava, grown in tropical regions for their edible fruit

2. the fruit of such a tree, having yellow skin and pink pulp: used to make jellies, jams, etc

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• guavas
  plural

Etymology

Origin of guava

1545–55; < Spanish guayaba < Arawak

Explanation

A guava is a small, sweet tropical fruit. The tree that guavas grow on is also called a guava. Most guavas are green, with slightly bumpy skin, often ripening to a yellow or almost maroon color. Though a guava smells a lot like a lemon, its pale pink flesh and juice are sweet and mild, sometimes described as a cross between a ripe pear and a strawberry. Guavas are native to South America, Central America, and Mexico, and their name comes from an Arawakan word for "guava tree."

Example Sentences

Bottle bio: From California’s Central Valley, the wine opens with aromas of white nectarine, green guava, and mineral.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jul. 3, 2026

Despite the limitations, researchers believe guava juice could still become a practical and low cost nutritional strategy for reducing mild to moderate anemia.

From Science Daily • May 27, 2026

All of the studies were conducted in Indonesia, and there were major differences in study design, guava type, dosage, intervention length, and participant characteristics.

From Science Daily • May 27, 2026

Someone instructs you to tear off pieces and dip them in the accompanying guava and plantain chutneys, silky chickpea curry and punchy pepper jelly, pooled around a peninsula of tangy cultured butter.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 30, 2026

I count the trees: thirty-two banana trees, seven guava trees, fourteen mango trees, countless coconut and lychee trees.

From "You Bring the Distant Near" by Mitali Perkins