plum

noun

ˈpləm 

often attributive

1

: any of various trees and shrubs (genus Prunus) of the rose family with globular to oval smooth-skinned edible fruits that are drupes with oblong seeds

also : the fruit

2

: any of various trees with edible fruits resembling plums

also : the fruit

3

a

: a raisin when used in desserts

b

: sugarplum

4

: something superior or very desirable

especially : something desirable given in return for a favor

5

: a dark reddish purple

plumlike

ˈpləm-ˌlīk 

adjective

Synonyms

• catch
• gem
• jewel
• pearl
• prize
• treasure

Examples of plum in a Sentence

a bowl of peaches and plums

Dried plums are also called “prunes.”

That deal is a real plum for the contractor.

Recent Examples on the Web

The country’s stunning Game of Thrones-worthy setting on the Adriatic Sea, with multiple plum locations, is a big draw for music lovers who want to forget their troubles in the sparkling sun. —Lily Moayeri, SPIN, 15 Apr. 2024

Top notes are plum, strawberry and cassis leaf with middle notes of red poppy and apple blossom. —Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 12 Apr. 2024

Festival food includes sushi, spam musubi, gyoza, yakisoba, mochi, teriyaki chicken rice bowls, shave ice, cotton candy and bento boxes with pork cutlet, teriyaki salmon or sesame tofu, with iced coffee, boba drinks, beer, sake, plum wine, sodas and lemonade to wash it all down. —Anne Gelhaus, The Mercury News, 7 Apr. 2024

The baby gets a smattering of fresh fruits including yellow plums ($7.98 for four), raspberries ($8.99 for a double carton), and pears ($2.30 for three). —Bon Appétit Contributor, Bon Appétit, 4 Apr. 2024

Lovely aromas of cranberry, black plum, cassis and black thorn. —Tom Hyland, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024

No Way Cafe has items such as peach blossom, cinnamon plum and elderberry healer teas, and smoothies such as strawberry banana and peanut butter protein. —Cathy Kozlowicz, Journal Sentinel, 26 Feb. 2024

Unlike many cleansers that strip the skin, this one helps maintain hydration, thanks to tangerine peel extract, squalene, and a blend of traditional Korean oils such as pine nut oil, camellia seed oil, and plum seed oil. —Iman Balagam, Vogue, 4 Apr. 2024

Deep crimson purple in the glass this delightful wine invites you in with aromas of dark chocolate, blueberry, and black plum. —Mike Desimone and Jeff Jenssen, Robb Report, 28 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English plūme, modification of Latin prunum plum, from Greek proumnon

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing plum

• plum pudding
• Japanese plum
• beach plum
• plum tomato

Kids Definition

plum

noun

ˈpləm 

1

a

: any of numerous trees and shrubs related to the peach and cherries and having globe-shaped to oval edible fruits with an oblong stone

b

: the smooth-skinned fruit of a plum

2

: a raisin when used in desserts (as puddings or cake)

3

: something very desirable

4

: a dark reddish purple

plumlike

-ˌlīk 

adjective

Geographical Definition

Plum

geographical name

ˈpləm 

borough in southwestern Pennsylvania that is a suburb of Pittsburgh population 27,126