persimmon

American  

[per-sim-uhn] / pərˈsɪm ən /

noun

persimmons plural

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.

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persimmon British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• persimmons
  plural

Etymology

Origin of persimmon

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

Explanation

A persimmon is an orange or red-colored fruit that resembles a small tomato but tastes extremely sweet. This sugary orange fruit gets its English name from an American Indian language because of the variety of persimmon that is native to North America. It comes from the Algonquian word pasimenan, which means "artificially dried fruit." Many other languages of the world, however, have adopted the Japanese name kaki instead, because of the species of persimmon that's native to Asia.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

persimmon persimmons

Ready to splurge, I ordered squid-ink gnocchi, Dover sole with artichokes and an ethereal persimmon sorbet.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 2, 2026

Since persimmons are in season this time of year, they’re an ideal pairing: try a bright persimmon sauce or a simple persimmon salad to add freshness and lift to the richness of the duck.

From Salon ● Dec. 4, 2025

With exposure to humans, cubs in particular become less fearful and develop a taste for farmed produce and common fruits such as persimmon, Koike added.

From Barron's ● Nov. 8, 2025

The researchers explored persimmon tannin because it is known for its antioxidative properties.

From Science Daily ● May 16, 2024

There was the puckery taste that almost made me cry when I ate my first half-ripe persimmon.

From "Black Boy" by Richard Wright

And when it comes to building a menu, they’re leaning into pantry staples with personality from Flamingo Estate’s vinegar made from fuyu and hachiya persimmons to smoked sea-salt flakes from Maldon.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 28, 2026

In addition to Elly Amai’s strawberry, Japanese fruit retailer Ikigai Fruits sells a myriad of luxury fruits, including strawberries, melons, persimmons, pears and oranges.

From Salon ● Mar. 29, 2025

The farm also grows ice cream beans, persimmons, pomegranates, passion fruit, dragon fruit, cherimoyas and caviar limes in soil that has become more fertile from the biodiversity of crops.

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 15, 2024

"This year's persimmons are harvested, peeled and dressed, and hung under the eaves in bunches, waiting for the persimmons to soften and freeze, hoping they will bring a good price in the New Year."

From BBC ● May 16, 2023

They wheeled in carts brimming over with fae rose creams, persimmons and pomegranates, honey croissants, and sticky saffron cake.

From "The Marvellers" by Dhonielle Clayton