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

See Examples For:

guava guavas

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

However, he also emphasized that more rigorous research is still needed before guava juice could be recommended as a substitute for conventional anemia treatment.

From Science Daily ● May 27, 2026

Researchers found that combining guava juice with iron supplements appeared to improve hemoglobin levels more effectively than taking iron supplements alone.

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

Below, the door opens and MacGyver emerges, chewing on his guava, shaking hands with the other teachers.

From "The Queen of Water" by Laura Resau

It evoked kiwis and guavas like Twizzlers do strawberries.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 4, 2026

The pomegranates, squash and apples were in season, pink guavas were so ripe you could smell their heady scent from a distance, and nutrient-packed yams were ready for the holidays.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 10, 2025

It’s palms, banana plants, loquats, pineapple guavas and other assorted tropicals and subtropicals in our gardens.

From Seattle Times ● Mar. 7, 2024

They scavenge for guavas and berries, or banana leaves on which fermented cassava is served.

From New York Times ● Jul. 10, 2022

His cheeks bulge as though he has stuffed them with whole, unripe guavas.

From "Purple Hibiscus" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie