fruit

play

noun, often attributive \ ˈfrüt \

Definition of fruit

1 a :a product of plant growth (such as grain, vegetables, or cotton)

the fruits of the field

b (1) :the usually edible reproductive body of a seed plant; especially :one having a sweet pulp associated with the seed

the fruit of the tree

(2) :a succulent (see ¹succulent 1c) plant part (such as the petioles (see petiole 1) of a rhubarb plant) used chiefly in a dessert or sweet course

c :a dish, quantity, or diet of fruits

live on fruit

d :a product of fertilization (see fertilization b) in a plant with its modified envelopes or appendages; specifically :the ripened ovary (see ovary 2) of a seed plant and its contents

e :the flavor or aroma of fresh fruit in mature wine

The wine's fruit is rich in tangerine, apricot, and papaya flavors.

2 :offspring, progeny

the fruit of the womb

3 a :the state of bearing fruit

a tree in fruit

b :the effect or consequence of an action or operation :product, result

the fruits of our labor

the fruits of victory

4 slang, usually disparaging + offensive :a male homosexual

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fruited

play \ˈfrü-təd\ adjective

See fruit defined for English-language learners

See fruit defined for kids

Examples of fruit in a Sentence

apples, oranges, and other fruits
one fruit of your faithfulness in carrying out your duties will be more rewarding responsibilities

Recent Examples of fruit from the Web

The hanging fruits had been emblazoned with the letters of the Black sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha, Inc.

— veronica hilbring, Essence.com, "US Mint Employee Suspended After Leaving Noose On Black Colleague’s Desk," 11 July 2017
My feeling is generally in the case of summer fruit pies, if things are in season and at their peak bounty, why be skimpy?

— rick martinez, Bon Appetit, "How to Make the Best Blueberry Pie and Maybe Also Find Love," 8 July 2017
Fruits and vegetables are easy, but whole grains can be confusing.

— bryant stamford, The Courier-Journal, "If you see 'whole wheat,' it's definitely healthy, right? Sorry, maybe not," 6 July 2017
Just fill an empty spray bottle with diluted vinegar and spritz your produce (salad stuff, fruits, etc.) then rinse in regular water before serving.

— elizabeth narins, Cosmopolitan, "13 Reasons Apple Cider Vinegar Is the Magic Potion You Need in Your Life," 3 July 2017
The ripe fruit character (especially the melon) will match well with the delicate flavors of the cucumber and herbs.

— michael austin, chicagotribune.com, "How to pair gazpacho with summer wines," 3 July 2017
Each book tells the different, often silly uses for the fruits.

— South Florida Parenting, "Summer reading: Books to keep kids learning," 3 July 2017
Clean spill where fruit flies are landing and prep potatoes away from the handwashing station where backsplash can get onto the potatoes.

— kaitlyn schwers, kansascity.com, "Cass County restaurant inspections: June 1-15," 28 June 2017
Together the three of them came up with a plan, which eventually evolved into an idea for a vast chain of replicable schools, their growth powered by small tuition payments from working parents — fruit sellers, night watchmen and washerwomen.

— peg tyre, New York Times, "Can a Tech Start-Up Successfully Educate Children in the Developing World?," 27 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'fruit.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of fruit

Middle English, from Anglo-French frut, fruit, from Latin fructus fruit, use, from frui to enjoy, have the use of — more at brook

fruit Synonyms

Synonyms

aftereffect, aftermath, backwash, child, conclusion, consequence, corollary, development, fate, effect, issue, outcome, outgrowth, precipitate, product, result, resultant, sequel, sequence, upshot

Antonyms

antecedent, causation, cause, occasion, reason

Related Words

ramification; denouement (also dénouement), echo, implication, repercussion; afterclap, afterglow, aftershock; blowback, by-product, fallout, offshoot, ripple, side effect (also side reaction), spin-off

Near Antonyms

consideration, determinant, factor; base, basis, foundation, ground, groundwork; impetus, incentive, inspiration, instigation, stimulus; mother, origin, root, source, spring

Other Food Terms

Reuben, calamari, chuck, curry, edamame, foie gras, hummus, leaven, nonpareil, peel

fruit

verb

Definition of fruit

intransitive verb

:to bear fruit

transitive verb

:to cause to bear fruit

See fruit defined for English-language learners

Examples of fruit in a Sentence

When will the trees fruit?

Recent Examples of fruit from the Web

Once above ground, the fruiting body will continue to grow, as long as conditions are right.

— bill sherwonit, Alaska Dispatch News, "Confessions of a morel hunter," 5 Aug. 2017
Wines range from Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc and Riesling to fruit wines made from fresh strawberries, blackberries, peaches and raspberries.

— marc bona, cleveland.com, "Wine calendar: Olde Wine Cellar, Delmonico's Steakhouse wine dinner, Rosewood Grill events, more," 1 Aug. 2017
Wines range from Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc and Riesling to fruit wines made from fresh strawberries, blackberries, peaches and raspberries.

— marc bona, cleveland.com, "Wine calendar: Olde Wine Cellar, Delmonico's Steakhouse wine dinner, Rosewood Grill events, more," 1 Aug. 2017
To avoid creating a thicket, older canes are removed after fruiting.

— debbie arrington, sacbee, "Pick, then prune: Give blackberries some TLC after harvest," 21 July 2017
Tomato plants need about 1.5 inches of water per week during fruiting.

— jefferson county cooperative extension, AL.com, "Blossom end rot (Garden Talk)," 19 July 2017
Wines range from Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc and Riesling to fruit wines made from fresh strawberries, blackberries, peaches and raspberries.

— marc bona, cleveland.com, "Wine calendar: Fleming's 'Summer Love' dinner, Blue Canyon Schug dinner, more," 20 June 2017
A recent Experimentalis bottle release, timed for the brewery's anniversary on June 10, was fruited with kumquats.

— leeanne griffin, courant.com, "OEC Brewing: Creating Sour and Wild Ales For Adventurous Tastebuds," 19 June 2017
Citrus fruits fill one round, slouchy basket, while others brim with vegetables destined for the soup pot that inspired the restaurant’s name (pronounced mar-meet).

— providence cicero, The Seattle Times, "Marmite: Casual elegance from Le Gourmand’s Bruce and Sara Naftaly," 7 June 2017

Origin and Etymology of fruit

see ¹fruit

Other Agriculture/Gardening Terms

fallow, graft, heirloom, loam, potash, soilage, swath, tilth, windfall

FRUIT Defined for English Language Learners

fruit

play

noun

Definition of fruit for English Language Learners

: a usually sweet food (such as a blueberry, orange, or apple) that grows on a tree or bush
: the part of a plant that has the seeds in it (such as the pod of a pea, a nut, a grain, or a berry)
: a result or reward that comes from some action or activity

fruit

verb

Definition of fruit for English Language Learners

: to produce fruit

FRUIT Defined for Kids

fruit

play

noun \ ˈfrüt \

Definition of fruit for Students

1 :a usually soft and juicy plant part (as rhubarb, a strawberry, or an orange) that is often eaten as a dessert and is distinguished from a vegetable

2 :a product of fertilization in a seed plant that consists of the ripened ovary of a flower with its included seeds

Apples, cucumbers, nuts, and blueberries are all fruits.

3 :²result 1, product

You can enjoy the fruits of your labors.

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fruited

\-əd\ adjective

a fruited plant

fruit

verb

Definition of fruit for Students

fruited; fruiting

:to bear or cause to bear fruit

Medical Dictionary

fruit

play

noun, often attributive \ ˈfrüt \

medical Definition of fruit

1 :the usually edible reproductive body of a seed plant; especially :one having a sweet pulp associated with the seed

the fruit of the tree

2 :a product of fertilization in a plant with its modified envelopes or appendages; specifically :the ripened ovary of a seed plant and its contents

Law Dictionary

fruit

noun

legal Definition of fruit

1 a :something (as evidence) that is obtained or gathered during an action or operation (as a search)

moved to suppress evidence seized from the room on the grounds that it was obtained as the fruit of an illegal arrest
—National Law Journal

b plural :fruit of the poisonous tree

the Court was asked to extend the…fruit doctrine
—Oregon v. Elstad, 470 U.S. 298 (1985)

2 a in the civil law of Louisiana :property (as income or goods) produced by or derived from other movable or immovable property without diminution of its substance