fruit

noun, often attributive \ ˈfrüt \

|Updated on: 15 Jun 2018

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

—

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
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
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
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

First Known Use: 12th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

fruit Synonyms

Phrases

matter of course;

Other Food Terms

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

fruit

verb

fruited; fruiting; fruits

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

Add syrup to fruit to taste, reserving remainder for cocktails or another use.

— ashleigh spitza, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Keep it simple and seasonal in the kitchen during summer," 7 June 2018
Logee's is a mail-order horticultural company growing, fruiting, rare and tropical plants since 1892.

— Courant Community, "Community News For The Putnam-Killingly Edition," 5 June 2018
Most of the wood removed is older wood that already has fruited.

— kym pokorny, OregonLive.com, "Growing kiwi in Oregon requires care, attention," 2 May 2018
For a single fall crop on ever-bearers, simply cut off all the old canes at ground level when they are done fruiting.

— the editors of organic life, Good Housekeeping, "How To Grow Your Own Vibrant Raspberries," 23 May 2017
The 2014 Cabernet is darker-fruited than either of the Waterhorse Ridge wines, but shares their inky texture and focused acidity.

— esther mobley, San Francisco Chronicle, "Tasting Notes: Fort Ross-Seaview and the anti-California Cabernets," 20 Apr. 2018
Prune blackberries and blueberries when fruiting is over.

— tom maccubbin, OrlandoSentinel.com, "May in the garden," 28 Apr. 2018
The related Schefflera arboricola is a dwarf version that supposedly is less likely to fruit in such profusion and poses less of an invasive threat.

— kenneth setzer, miamiherald, "These plants are troublemakers in South Florida gardens. Avoid them. | Miami Herald," 20 Apr. 2018
The region's cooler temperatures and relatively high elevations inevitably yield a subtler, chewier, more red-fruited wine — one whose varietal character renders a wine that's taut, firm and somewhat grippy.

— patrick comiskey, latimes.com, "Wines of the week: 3 great bottles of Chianti," 5 Apr. 2018

Origin and Etymology of fruit

see ¹fruit

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Other Agriculture/Gardening Terms

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

FRUIT Defined for English Language Learners

fruit

noun

: 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

: to produce fruit

FRUIT Defined for Kids

fruit

noun \ ˈfrüt \

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.

—

fruited

\-əd\ adjective

a fruited plant

fruit

verb

fruited; fruiting

: to bear or cause to bear fruit

Medical Dictionary

fruit

noun, often attributive \ ˈfrüt \

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

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