guava

American  

[gwah-vuh] / ˈgwɑ və /

noun

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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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

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

After the hummus and seven vegetable salads, the meal unfolded with sweet-and-salty pistachio-dusted halloumi baklava, tender beef shashlik over creamy black-garlic toum, and a guava sorbet sundae.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 6, 2025

A classic Dominican pairing of guava and cheese with savory crackers, or gellletas.

From Salon • May 24, 2025

Atomo’s ingredients aren’t particularly high tech: date seeds, ramón seeds, sunflower seed extract, fructose, pea protein, millet, lemon, guava, fenugreek seeds, caffeine and baking soda.

From BBC • Sep. 12, 2024

There were many mango, orange, and guava trees in the village, and it looked as if it had been a farm.

From "A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier" by Ishmael Beah