papaya

[ puh-pah-yuh ]

/ pəˈpɑ yə /

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See synonyms for papaya on Thesaurus.com

noun

the large, yellow, melonlike fruit of a tropical American shrub or small tree, Carica papaya, eaten raw or cooked.

the tree itself.

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Also called pawpaw.

Origin of papaya

1760–70; <Spanish <Carib (Hispaniola)

OTHER WORDS FROM papaya

pa·pa·yan, adjective

Words nearby papaya

paparazzo, papauma, papaveraceous, papaverine, papaw, papaya, Papeete, papelera, Papen, paper, paperback

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use papaya in a sentence

Lin’s team tried gentler approaches, one of which used lower temperatures and a papaya enzyme, to help dissolve the silk’s coating.
A metal ion bath may make fibers stronger than spider silk|Meghan Rosen|October 6, 2022|Science News
A ringspot virus, for instance, threatens papaya fruit trees in Taiwan.
Electric shocks act like vaccines to protect plants from viruses|Anna Gibbs|May 11, 2022|Science News For Students
Chunks of pineapple, papaya and pear add a tropical flavor to the preparation.
Locked up in the Land of Liberty: Part III|Yariel Valdés González|July 21, 2021|Washington Blade
There are also enzyme exfoliants, which come from fruits such as papaya, pineapple and pumpkin.
Exfoliating isn’t necessary. But if you do it, follow the tips from these dermatologists.|Janna Mandell|April 12, 2021|Washington Post

Thus we were thrilled when the New York–based Papaya King opened its first West Coast location in Hollywood in late May.
Lights, Camera, Cocktails|Brody Brown|September 23, 2011|DAILY BEAST
Papaya and Arugula Salad by Anne Byrn The Dinner Doctor offers a salad to please both the palate and the eye.
What to Eat|Cookstr.com|July 28, 2009|DAILY BEAST
Papaya is not as sweet as mango or peach, but it gives a salad great texture, flavor, and color.
What to Eat|Cookstr.com|July 28, 2009|DAILY BEAST
Merian has figured the caterpillar of another moth which feeds upon the Papaw-tree (Carica Papaya) with similar hairs.
An Introduction to Entomology: Vol. III (of 4)|William Kirby
As dessert a great dish of fresh papaya cut up into squares and soaking in its own juice, was served.
In Indian Mexico (1908)|Frederick Starr
In some countries they wrap meat in papaya leaves for several hours before eating in order to soften it.
The Medicinal Plants of the Philippines|T. H. Pardo de Tavera
“Santa Ana's house is full of bullets” is rather pretty description for the papaya.
A Little Book of Filipino Riddles|Various
Another valuable fruit indigenous to this country is the Papaia (Carica papaya).
The Hawaiian Islands|The Department of Foreign Affairs

British Dictionary definitions for papaya

papaya

/ (pəˈpaɪə) /

noun

a Caribbean evergreen tree, Carica papaya, with a crown of large dissected leaves and large green hanging fruit: family Caricaceae

the fruit of this tree, having a yellow or reddish orange sweet edible pulp and small black seeds

Also called: papaw, pawpaw

Derived forms of papaya

papayan, adjective

Word Origin for papaya

C15 papaye, from Spanish papaya, from an American Indian language; compare Carib ababai

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

papaya

Origin of papaya

OTHER WORDS FROM papaya

Words nearby papaya

Words related to papaya

How to use papaya in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for papaya

Derived forms of papaya

Word Origin for papaya