avocado

noun

av·​o·​ca·​do ˌä-və-ˈkä-(ˌ)dō  ˌa- 

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

• avocado 1

Examples of avocado in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Each one is topped with salsa and avocado, which together add bright creaminess. —Catherine Garcia, TheWeek, 28 May 2026

Velvety Green Garlic Vichyssoise stars chilled potato-leek bisque with ricotta, and the spicy Shrimp Campechana combines poached shrimp, mango, lime, tomato and jalapeno in a tangy chunky salsa served with avocado and housemade crispy tortilla chips fried in rice oil. —Laura Ness, Mercury News, 26 May 2026

Meals, from breakfast to dinner, feature a rotation of Guatemalan dishes, including ceviche, avocado salad, local fish steamed in banana leaves and roast chicken. —Lauren Mowery, Forbes.com, 26 May 2026

That's because several fruits like apples, bananas, avocados, and tomatoes produce ethylene gas, a ripening hormone. —Jeff Wagner, CBS News, 26 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

modification of Spanish aguacate, from Nahuatl āhuacatl avocado, testicle

First Known Use

1696, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing avocado

• avocado pear
• avocado toast

Rhymes for avocado

• desperado
• adelantado
• bravado
• machado
• mikado
• incommunicado

Kids Definition

avocado

noun

av·​o·​ca·​do ˌav-ə-ˈkäd-ō  ˌäv- 

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