pineapple

noun

pine·​ap·​ple ˈpī-ˌna-pəl 

1

a

: a tropical monocotyledonous plant (Ananas comosus of the family Bromeliaceae, the bromeliad family) that has rigid spiny-margined recurved leaves and a short stalk with a dense oblong head of small abortive flowers

b

: the large edible multiple fruit of the pineapple that consists of the sweet succulent fleshy inflorescence

2

: a hand grenade

Examples of pineapple in a Sentence

a can of chopped pineapple

Recent Examples on the Web

The process is long and excruciating, said Oceguera, but they’re just left with the essence of pineapple and coconut that’s carbonated a little for lightness on your tongue. —Louisa Kung Liu Chu, Chicago Tribune, 28 Apr. 2026

Flavor the tangy, no-bake filling with crushed pineapple, sweetened coconut flakes, and a splash of rum. —Jenavieve Christensen, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Apr. 2026

The Single Village Fix’s pineapple syrup harnesses the vibrant smoke and character of mezcal, embracing and even amplifying its charms, and the lime cuts through any the sweetness and makes the whole thing refreshing. —Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 25 Apr. 2026

Most versions of this classic cocktail call for pineapple and orange juice, orange liqueur, vodka and rum like this non-frozen version, but our slushie has a few twists. —Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 25 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1624, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing pineapple

• pineapple guava
• pineapple sage

Rhymes for pineapple

• appal
• apple
• chapel
• dapple
• grapple

Kids Definition

pineapple

noun

pine·​ap·​ple ˈpī-ˌnap-əl 

: a tropical plant with stiff spiny sword-shaped leaves and a short flowering stalk that develops into an edible fruit with usually pale yellow sweet juicy flesh and very thick skin

also : this fruit

Etymology

Middle English pinappel "the cone of a pine"; so called because the fruit looks like the cone from a pine tree

Medical Definition

pineapple

noun

pine·​ap·​ple ˈpī-ˌnap-əl 

1

: a tropical monocotyledonous plant (Ananas comosus of the family Bromeliaceae, the pineapple family) that has rigid spiny-margined recurved leaves and a short stalk with a dense oblong head of small abortive flowers

2

: the multiple fruit of the pineapple that consists of the succulent fleshy inflorescence and whose juice is the source of the proteolytic enzyme bromelain