durian
noun
du·ri·an
ˈdu̇r-ē-ən 
-ē-ˌän
also ˈdyu̇r-
1
: a large oval tasty but foul-smelling fruit with a prickly rind
2
: a southeast Asian tree (Durio zibethinus) of the mallow family that bears durians
Examples of durian in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Mollé Pâtisserie This contemporary Chinese bakery blends Asian desserts with French pastry, offering everything from mochi and pineapple buns to tarts and opéras infused with flavors like yuzu, taro, matcha, and durian.
—
Angela Lian, Travel + Leisure, 10 Jan. 2026
Thiols are responsible for the distinctive aromas of skunk spray and ripe durian; they’re also added to natural gas to provide a detectable rotten-egg smell at even trace levels.
—Nicola Twilley, New Yorker, 5 Jan. 2026
Advertisement Chan told The Star that the proposal is not intended to claim ownership of durian or negate other countries’ connection to the fruit.
—Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 21 Nov. 2025
The scoops include local flavors such as Singapore chendol (chendol is a jelly made from pandan leaves), kueh salat (coconut pandan ice cream, blue-pea mochi, and coconut pandan custard bits), and, for the more adventurous, Emperor Mao durian.
—Elizabeth See, AFAR Media, 2 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for durian
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.
Angela Lian, Travel + Leisure, 10 Jan. 2026
Thiols are responsible for the distinctive aromas of skunk spray and ripe durian; they’re also added to natural gas to provide a detectable rotten-egg smell at even trace levels.
—Nicola Twilley, New Yorker, 5 Jan. 2026
Advertisement Chan told The Star that the proposal is not intended to claim ownership of durian or negate other countries’ connection to the fruit.
—Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 21 Nov. 2025
The scoops include local flavors such as Singapore chendol (chendol is a jelly made from pandan leaves), kueh salat (coconut pandan ice cream, blue-pea mochi, and coconut pandan custard bits), and, for the more adventurous, Emperor Mao durian.
—Elizabeth See, AFAR Media, 2 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for durian
Cite this Entry
“Durian.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/durian. Accessed 23 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
