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

The Most Nostalgic Side of Them All For Davis, a classic pear salad instantly fills her with memories of Christmas and New Year's Day meals at her mawmaw's house in Louisiana. —Tessa Cooper, Southern Living, 14 Nov. 2025

Depending on the type of pear, the overall shape may vary. —Allison Forsyth, Health, 13 Nov. 2025

Roasted pears are sweet enough for dessert or a fun snack for the whole family. —Carrie Madormo, Verywell Health, 13 Nov. 2025

The place also sits on around 17 acres and includes a garden with heirloom varieties of apples, peaches, and pears. —Clio Chang, Curbed, 13 Nov. 2025

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

Rhymes for pear

• air
• ayre
• bahr
• bare
• blare
• care
• chair
• claire
• ere
• err
• eyre
• fair

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