persimmon

noun

per·​sim·​mon pər-ˈsi-mən 

1

: any of a genus (Diospyros) of trees of the ebony family with hard fine wood, oblong leaves, and small bell-shaped flowers

especially : an eastern U.S. tree (D. virginiana) or a Japanese tree (D. kaki)

2

: the usually orange several-seeded globular berry of a persimmon that is edible when fully ripe but usually extremely astringent when unripe

Examples of persimmon in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Her concoctions begin with seasonal and local fruits, herbs, and trees like persimmons, mint, and—get ready—shagbark hickory, and the natural flavors mean no more cloyingly sweet cocktails. —Rebecca Deurlein, Southern Living, 25 Nov. 2025

When the 45-story, 2,716-room hotel debuted in 2005, lead designer Roger Thomas opted for a theatrical jewel-toned palette, featuring cobalt blue, lacquer red, deep persimmon, chartreuse silk, espresso woods, and gold leaf accents. —David Morris, Travel + Leisure, 25 Nov. 2025

Add the persimmon and continue cooking, stirring for about five minutes. —Jeffrey Steingarten, Vogue, 23 Nov. 2025

Left Bank Brasserie offers a three-course prix fixe menu from 11 a.m.-8 p.m., with dishes like Fuyu persimmon salad, butternut squash soup and entrées like roasted turkey with all the trimmings, butternut squash ravioli, steak au poivre, or salmon with French lentils. —Laura Ness, Mercury News, 16 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Virginia Algonquian pessemmin

First Known Use

1612, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for persimmon

• saleswomen
• countrywomen
• englishwomen
• gentlewomen
• washerwomen
• crimen
• imine
• women

Kids Definition

persimmon

noun

per·​sim·​mon pər-ˈsim-ən 

1

: any of a genus of trees with hard fine wood, oblong leaves, and small bell-shaped white flowers

2

: the usually orange fruit of a persimmon that resembles a plum and is edible when fully ripe but usually very bitter when unripe

Medical Definition

persimmon

noun

per·​sim·​mon pər-ˈsim-ən 

1

: any tree or shrub of the genus Diospyros

especially : one (D. virginiana) of the eastern United States whose bark has been used as an astringent

2

: the usually orange globular berry of a persimmon that is edible when fully ripe but usually extremely astringent when unripe