avocado

noun

av·​o·​ca·​do ˌä-və-ˈkä-(ˌ)dō How to pronounce avocado (audio) ˌa- How to pronounce avocado (audio)
plural avocados also avocadoes
1
: a pulpy green- to purple-skinned nutty-flavored fruit of any of various tropical American trees (genus Persea especially P. americana) of the laurel family
also : a tree bearing avocados
2
: a light yellowish green

Illustration of avocado

Illustration of avocado
  • avocado 1

Examples of avocado in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Aero has an incredible partnership with Los Angeles cult-favorite Erewhon for lounge and in-flight provisions, with snacks like popcorn and Marcona almonds to avocado tartines and macrobiotic salads. Krista Simmons, Sunset Magazine, 14 Sep. 2023 World & Nation Inside the bloody cartel war for Mexico’s multibillion-dollar avocado industry Nov. 21, 2019 Corridos, which date back to 19th century rural Mexico, are one of the country’s oldest musical traditions. Kate Linthicum, Los Angeles Times, 13 Sep. 2023 That is starting to change, as consumers become more interested in such honeys as star thistle and avocado blossom. Eliza McGraw, Washington Post, 12 Sep. 2023 The Dawn Patrol is spicy crab, yellowtail, salmon, tuna, cucumber and avocado. Sarah Blaskovich, Dallas News, 11 Sep. 2023 Isabel Hernández Díaz is used to looking out the window of her stone house in La Florida and seeing a panoply of avocado and chestnut trees, flowering laurel, and dense pine forest. Colette Davidson, The Christian Science Monitor, 8 Sep. 2023 Remember my tip about guacamole and avocado on the side? Mara Severin | Eating Out, Anchorage Daily News, 7 Sep. 2023 Different cheeses, tortilla chips, green onions, and avocados are some of our favorite finishing touches. Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 28 Aug. 2023 Shoppers are buying everything from berries, peaches, apricots, avocados and tomatoes among them, including those grown by students at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo. Eileen Ogintz, Chicago Tribune, 24 Aug. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'avocado.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

modification of Spanish aguacate, from Nahuatl āhuacatl avocado, testicle

First Known Use

1696, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of avocado was in 1696

Dictionary Entries Near avocado

Cite this Entry

“Avocado.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/avocado. Accessed 26 Sep. 2023.

Kids Definition

avocado

noun
av·​o·​ca·​do ˌav-ə-ˈkäd-ō How to pronounce avocado (audio) ˌäv- How to pronounce avocado (audio)
plural avocados also avocadoes
: the usually green pear-shaped edible fruit of a tropical American tree that has a rich oily flesh
also : the tree that bears this fruit

More from Merriam-Webster on avocado

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