persimmon

[ per-sim-uhn ]

noun
  1. any of several trees of the genus Diospyros, especially D. virginiana, of North America, bearing astringent, plumlike fruit that is sweet and edible when ripe, and D. kaki, of Japan and China, bearing soft, red or orange fruit.

  2. the fruit itself.

Origin of persimmon

1
First recorded in 1605–15, Americanism; from Virginia Algonquian (English spelling) pessemmins, pichamins, pushemins, putchamins (unidentified initial element + reflex of Proto-Algonquian (unattested) -min- “fruit, berry”)

Words Nearby persimmon

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use persimmon in a sentence

  • The blossoms of strawberries and blueberries should be covered against freezing, as well as those of apples, peaches and persimmons if the trees are small enough to wrap.

    Time to dig in | Adrian Higgins | March 17, 2021 | Washington Post
  • Though there are dozens of types of persimmons, the two most common are tall, teardrop-shaped hachiyas and squat fuyus that resemble miniature pumpkins.

    The Art of Hoshigaki at Home | Jamie Feldmar | January 7, 2021 | Eater
  • Timing will vary, not just with every batch, but from persimmon to persimmon, which is why it’s important to pay attention to the slow progress of each fruit.

    The Art of Hoshigaki at Home | Jamie Feldmar | January 7, 2021 | Eater
  • Sakai instructed us to dip each persimmon in a pot of boiling water for a second or two to sterilize them.

    The Art of Hoshigaki at Home | Jamie Feldmar | January 7, 2021 | Eater
  • I do and soon hold a box heavy with gotgam, dried persimmons, before the sun has fully risen.

British Dictionary definitions for persimmon

persimmon

/ (pɜːˈsɪmən) /


noun
  1. any of several tropical trees of the genus Diospyros, typically having hard wood and large orange-red fruit: family Ebenaceae

  2. the sweet fruit of any of these trees, which is edible when completely ripe

Origin of persimmon

1
C17: of Algonquian origin; related to Delaware pasĭmĕnan dried fruit

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