pomegranate

noun

pome·​gran·​ate ˈpä-mə-ˌgra-nət 

ˈpäm-ˌgra-nət,

ˈpəm- 

1

: a several-celled reddish berry that is about the size of an orange with a thick leathery skin and many seeds with pulpy crimson arils of tart flavor

2

: a widely cultivated tropical Asian tree (Punica granatum of the family Lythraceae) bearing pomegranates

Illustration of pomegranate

Examples of pomegranate in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The cocktail comes to us, like so many greats, from Hugo Ensslin’s 1916 Recipes for Mixed Drinks and the recipe most of us use is more or less the same as his—a healthy pour of Irish whiskey, with lime juice and some grenadine (pomegranate syrup) to sweeten. —Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 25 Oct. 2025

In a soccer-field-sized garden, the family grew pomegranates, jujubes, and other produce. —Vidushi Mishti Sharma, Rolling Stone, 24 Oct. 2025

May Improve Memory The antioxidants in pomegranates appear to help improve memory loss that develops during the aging process. —Cristina Mutchler, Verywell Health, 23 Oct. 2025

In 2024, a group from Ondokuz Mayıs University in Türkiye used pomegranate hemp plants to produce activated carbon for an electrode. —Perri Thaler, IEEE Spectrum, 22 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English poumgrenet, from Anglo-French pome garnette, literally, seedy fruit

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for pomegranate

• gannet
• granite
• planet
• intranet

Kids Definition

pomegranate

noun

pome·​gran·​ate ˈpäm-(ə-)ˌgran-ət  ˈpəm-ˌgran- 

: a reddish fruit about the size of an orange that has a thick leathery skin and many seeds in a pulp of tart flavor

also : a tropical Asian tree that produces pomegranates

Etymology

Middle English poumgrenet "pomegranate," from early French pomme garnette "pomegranate," literally, "seedy fruit"; pomme from earlier pome "apple" and grenate derived from Latin granum "grain, seed" — related to garnet, grain, grenade see Word History at garnet

Medical Definition

pomegranate

noun

pome·​gran·​ate ˈpäm-(ə-)ˌgran-ət  ˈpəm-ˌgran- 

1

: a tart thick-skinned several-celled reddish berry that is about the size of an orange

2

: a widely cultivated tropical Old World tree (Punica granatum of the family Punicaceae) bearing pomegranates and having bark and roots which were formerly used in dried form as a taeniacide