pawpaw

noun

paw·​paw
variants or less commonly papaw
1
2
ˈpä-(ˌ)pȯ How to pronounce pawpaw (audio)
ˈpȯ-
: a North American tree (Asimina triloba) of the custard-apple family with purple flowers and an edible green-skinned fruit
also : its fruit

Examples of pawpaw in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web When ordering your pawpaws, be sure to plant two or more selections to ensure cross-pollination of the different pawpaw trees. Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 10 Sep. 2023 For an appetizer, pale rounds of pawpaw, the custard-like North American fruit that tastes like the tropics (and which ought to be a star on far more menus), are served at the bottom of a small, deep bowl, bathed in cream, beneath an obscene, slumping scoop of Golden Kaluga caviar. Helen Rosner, The New Yorker, 10 Dec. 2023 Correspondent Allison Aubrey reports on efforts to spread the word about the pawpaw. David Morgan, CBS News, 16 Nov. 2023 The pawpaw is one of those actual hidden gems of nature in the Midwest. Karl Schneider, The Indianapolis Star, 7 Aug. 2023 Crafty mixologists present seasonal pawpaw cocktails. Petula Dvorak, Washington Post, 25 Sep. 2023 In 2016, the Lansing State Journal spotlighted pawpaw manufacturer Nash Nurseries in Owosso, which sells pawpaw puree to local farmer markets, wholesalers and hobbyists. Chandra Fleming, USA TODAY, 20 Oct. 2022 George Washington loved a custardy cup of chilled pawpaw. Petula Dvorak, Washington Post, 25 Sep. 2023 Growing pawpaws, even under the best of circumstances, requires patience. Molly Fitzpatrick, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2023

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

Word History

Etymology

probably modification of Spanish papaya

First Known Use

1624, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of pawpaw was in 1624

Dictionary Entries Near pawpaw

Cite this Entry

“Pawpaw.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pawpaw. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

pawpaw

noun
paw·​paw
variants also papaw
1
pə-ˈpȯ
: papaya
2
ˈpäp-(ˌ)ȯ,
ˈpȯp-
: a North American tree having purple flowers and an edible fruit with green skin
also : its fruit

Medical Definition

pawpaw

variant of papaw

More from Merriam-Webster on pawpaw

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