freestone

noun

free·​stone ˈfrē-ˌstōn How to pronounce freestone (audio)
1
: a stone that may be cut freely without splitting
2
a
: a fruit stone to which the flesh does not cling
b
: a fruit having such a stone

Examples of freestone in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web What Type of Peach Is Best for Peach Pie? For optimal flavor, use fresh peaches, and seek out a freestone variety, whose flesh easily releases from the pit. Ann Taylor Pittman, Southern Living, 30 July 2023 Look for clingstone peaches starting mid-June and freestone peaches from late July through September. Wini Moranville, Better Homes & Gardens, 29 May 2023 While The Peach Truck grows more than 40 varieties of peaches, freestone peaches are picked in mid-June until the end of the season and will likely be what is on the truck. Chris Sims, The Indianapolis Star, 24 June 2021 There are two varieties in this family: freestone, whose pits come out freely when the fruit is cut in half, and clingstone, whose pits cling to the flesh of the fruit. Amisha Gurbani, San Francisco Chronicle, 16 Sep. 2022 If the peach is ripe (and especially if this is a freestone), the pit will often pop out. Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 Sep. 2022 Clingstone tends to be juicier and sweeter than freestone. Wini Moranville, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Aug. 2022 The needle-nose plier technique is most helpful when dealing with clingstone peaches, but works with freestone peaches as well if one really can’t be bothered to slice them in half. Ella Quittner, Bon Appétit, 16 July 2022 Right now, clingstone peaches are available, and freestone peaches will begin ripening in the next couple weeks. Paul Stephen, San Antonio Express-News, 8 June 2022

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'freestone.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of freestone was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near freestone

Cite this Entry

“Freestone.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/freestone. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

freestone

adjective
free·​stone -ˌstōn How to pronounce freestone (audio)
: having or being a fruit stone to which the flesh does not stick when the fruit is split open
freestone peaches
freestone noun
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