fruit

noun, often attributive

\ ˈfrüt

Definition of fruit

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : 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 succulent entry 1 sense 1c) plant part (such as the petioles (see petiole sense 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 sense b) in a plant with its modified envelopes or appendages specifically : the ripened ovary (see ovary sense 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

3a : 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

fruit

verb

fruited; fruiting; fruits

Definition of fruit (Entry 2 of 2)

intransitive verb

: to bear fruit

transitive verb

: to cause to bear fruit

Other Words from fruit Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about fruit

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Examples of fruit in a Sentence

Noun

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

Verb

When will the trees fruit?

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

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

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Blooming and fruiting take a lot of energy, and freeing the plant of this burden allows it to focus on root and vegetative growth, leading to healthier plants and more robust future harvests. — Colin Mccrate, The Seattle Times, "Our native evergreen huckleberry brings dynamic color and oodles of fruit to your edible shade garden," 20 Feb. 2019 For best fruiting, pick a location where the plant will get at least eight hours of direct sun each day. — Jean Nick, Good Housekeeping, "Cherry Tomatoes Are the Easiest Plant You'll Ever Grow," 10 July 2018 Overall, the heat will help fruiting plants and veggies. — Morgan Greene, chicagotribune.com, "Excessive heat watch upgraded to warning: 'dangerously hot temperatures' in Chicago area," 29 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," 12 June 2018 However, ever-bearers produce their best crops when only allowed to fruit in the fall. — The Editors Of Organic Life, Good Housekeeping, "How To Grow Your Own Vibrant Raspberries," 23 May 2017 Answer: Immediately after fruiting, which is about now, is the time to do needed pruning. — Tom Maccubbin, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Prune blueberry bushes after fruiting," 23 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," 12 June 2018 Keep well watered during growing and fruiting season. — Earl Nickel, San Francisco Chronicle, "Finger limes the ‘caviar’ of citrus for your garden," 9 Apr. 2018

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.

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Time Traveler for fruit

The first known use of fruit was in the 12th century

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More Definitions for fruit

fruit

noun

English Language Learners Definition of fruit

(Entry 1 of 2)

: a usually sweet food (such as a blueberry, orange, or apple) that grows on a tree or bush

technical : 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

English Language Learners Definition of fruit (Entry 2 of 2)

technical : to produce fruit

See the full definition for fruit in the English Language Learners Dictionary

fruit

noun

\ ˈfrüt

Kids Definition of fruit

(Entry 1 of 2)

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 : result entry 2 sense 1, product You can enjoy the fruits of your labors.

fruit

verb

fruited; fruiting

Kids Definition of fruit (Entry 2 of 2)

: to bear or cause to bear fruit

fruit

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

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fruit

noun

Legal Definition of fruit

1a : 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)

2a 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 co-owners share the fruits and products of the thing held — Louisiana Civil Code — compare product sense 3

— civil fruit

: the revenue derived from property especially by virtue of an obligation (as a lease)

— natural fruit

: an animal or plant product (as a crop)

b : income that is produced or earned by other property or services