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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Within days, tables were lining the sidewalks of Khan Younis and Gaza City, piled high with avocados, oranges, and even fresh chicken. Clayton Dalton, New Yorker, 18 Oct. 2025 Toast until lightly crisp, mash a ripe avocado with a fork, and spread it evenly across the bread. Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Oct. 2025 Try mashing a quarter of a ripe avocado and spreading it on your bread slices. Sarah Garone, Health, 17 Oct. 2025 Another is the Volcano Tostada, made with carne asada, chorizo, refried beans, queso Chihuahua, pickled onion, avocado salsa verde and salsa macha. Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for avocado

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

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Cite this Entry

“Avocado.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/avocado. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.

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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