pear

noun

ˈper 

1

: a pome fruit of a tree (genus Pyrus, especially P. communis) of the rose family that typically has a pale green or brownish skin, a firm juicy flesh, and an oblong shape in which a broad base end tapers upward to a narrow stem end

2

: a tree bearing pears

Examples of pear in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Try it with: Try Glenfiddich 12 Year for its smooth, slightly sweet profile with hints of pear and oak. —Emily Price, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024

Snugly arrange the pears in a baking pan, cut sides up. —Lynda Balslev, The Mercury News, 28 Oct. 2024

Apples, pears, and many other types of fruit release ethylene gas, which causes vegetables to ripen and decay faster. —Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Oct. 2024

Garnish with pear from a saucepan and a fresh thyme sprig. Reach Kirby Adams at [e-mail] or Twitter @kirbylouisville. —Kirby Adams, The Courier-Journal, 21 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English pere, from Old English peru, from Vulgar Latin *pira, from Latin, plural of pirum

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing pear

• alligator pear
• Anjou pear
• Asian pear
• avocado pear
• Bradford callery pear
• Bradford pear
• callery pear
• d'Anjou pear
• go pear-shaped
• pear psylla
• pear-shaped
• prickly pear
• prickly pear cactus
• prickly pear fruit
• vegetable pear

Kids Definition

pear

noun

ˈpa(ə)r 

ˈpe(ə)r

: a fruit that is commonly larger at the end opposite the stem and typically has a pale green or brownish skin and juicy flesh

also : a tree that bears pears and is related to the apple