avocado

noun

av·​o·​ca·​do ˌä-və-ˈkä-(ˌ)dō  ˌa- 

plural avocados also avocadoes

1

: a pulpy green- to purple-skinned nutty-flavored fruit of any of various tropical American trees (genus Persea especially P. americana) of the laurel family

also : a tree bearing avocados

2

: a light yellowish green

Illustration of avocado

• avocado 1

Examples of avocado in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Within days, tables were lining the sidewalks of Khan Younis and Gaza City, piled high with avocados, oranges, and even fresh chicken. —Clayton Dalton, New Yorker, 18 Oct. 2025

Toast until lightly crisp, mash a ripe avocado with a fork, and spread it evenly across the bread. —Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Oct. 2025

Try mashing a quarter of a ripe avocado and spreading it on your bread slices. —Sarah Garone, Health, 17 Oct. 2025

Another is the Volcano Tostada, made with carne asada, chorizo, refried beans, queso Chihuahua, pickled onion, avocado salsa verde and salsa macha. —Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

modification of Spanish aguacate, from Nahuatl āhuacatl avocado, testicle

First Known Use

1696, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing avocado

• avocado pear
• avocado toast

Rhymes for avocado

• desperado
• adelantado
• bravado
• machado
• mikado
• incommunicado

Kids Definition

avocado

noun

av·​o·​ca·​do ˌav-ə-ˈkäd-ō  ˌäv- 

plural avocados also avocadoes

: the usually green pear-shaped edible fruit of a tropical American tree that has a rich oily flesh

also : the tree that bears this fruit