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 silk-cotton family that bears durians
Examples of durian in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
One Whole Durian, in a Gift Box One whole durian, in a gift box ($134).
—
Helen Rosner, The New Yorker, 19 Nov. 2023
Farmers are felling coffee trees traditionally grown in this cool hilly region to plant spiky durians, pungent fruits that have become wildly popular in China.
—Jon Emont, WSJ, 11 Nov. 2023
Supermarkets stack suitcases for sale next to carts of durians.
—Audrey Phoon, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2023
My castmates were all talking about [the Southeast Asian fruit] durian a couple of days ago.
—Jesa Marie Calaor, Allure, 13 July 2023
Or Tor Kor fruit market, where masses of Chinese tourists would once gather around tables eating durian, business has ground to a halt.
—New York Times, 5 Dec. 2021
Hazmat crews scoured the space; the source was again a durian.
—Washington Post, 15 Oct. 2021
Today Brad and Ayesha sample 7 kinds of tropical fruit, from cracking open coconuts and odoriferous durian to tackling dragon fruit and an African kiwano.
—Mike Rose, cleveland, 13 Sep. 2021
Shoppers can find unique tropical fruit here including rambutan and, sometimes, fresh durian.
—Ko Lyn Cheang, The Indianapolis Star, 5 Aug. 2021
Helen Rosner, The New Yorker, 19 Nov. 2023
Farmers are felling coffee trees traditionally grown in this cool hilly region to plant spiky durians, pungent fruits that have become wildly popular in China.
—Jon Emont, WSJ, 11 Nov. 2023
Supermarkets stack suitcases for sale next to carts of durians.
—Audrey Phoon, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2023
My castmates were all talking about [the Southeast Asian fruit] durian a couple of days ago.
—Jesa Marie Calaor, Allure, 13 July 2023
Or Tor Kor fruit market, where masses of Chinese tourists would once gather around tables eating durian, business has ground to a halt.
—New York Times, 5 Dec. 2021
Hazmat crews scoured the space; the source was again a durian.
—Washington Post, 15 Oct. 2021
Today Brad and Ayesha sample 7 kinds of tropical fruit, from cracking open coconuts and odoriferous durian to tackling dragon fruit and an African kiwano.
—Mike Rose, cleveland, 13 Sep. 2021
Shoppers can find unique tropical fruit here including rambutan and, sometimes, fresh durian.
—Ko Lyn Cheang, The Indianapolis Star, 5 Aug. 2021
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'durian.' 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
Malay
First Known Use
1588, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Dictionary Entries Near durian
Cite this Entry
“Durian.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/durian. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about durian
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