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guava

noun
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gua·​va | \ ˈgwä-və How to pronounce guava (audio) \

Definition of guava

1 : any of several tropical American shrubs or small trees (genus Psidium) of the myrtle family especially : a shrubby tree (P. guajava) widely cultivated for its yellow-skined fruit with sweet acid yellow or pink flesh
2 : the roundish to pear-shaped fruit of a guava
Did You Know? Example Sentences Learn More about guava

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Did You Know?

This is any of many trees and shrubs of a genus that is native to the New World tropics. The two important species are common guava and cattley, or strawberry, guava. The sweet pulp of the common guava fruit has a musky, sometimes pungent odor. The pulp of the strawberry guava fruit has a strawberry-like flavor. Guavas are processed into jams, jellies, and preserves. Fresh guavas are rich in vitamins A, B, and C. They are eaten raw, sliced, and are often served in desserts.

Examples of guava in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Guests cooled down with a trio of coconut, guava and mango sorbets - though the chill didn't last long. — Amber Elliott, Houston Chronicle, "Colombia-inspired Latin American Experience Weekend raises $1.675 million for Museum of Fine Arts," 4 Nov. 2019 Menu items at Zaza include a stewed beef called ropa vieja, a ground beef dish called picadillo and pastries such as guava con queso, which includes guava jelly and cream cheese. — Austin Fuller, orlandosentinel.com, "Zaza New Cuban Diner opening in Lake Mary," 7 Oct. 2019 Notes of guava and pink berries amp up the fruity aspects of the flower. — Jennifer Goldstein, Marie Claire, "Floral Perfumes to Spritz This Fall," 7 Oct. 2019 The Empanada Bodega, an empanada kiosk offering 12 fillings from common (beef, chicken, barbecue pork, shrimp) to not-so-common (Hawaiian-style, guava and cheese). — Phillip Valys, sun-sentinel.com, "A sneak peek at Fort Lauderdale’s first food hall," 15 Aug. 2019 Her seasonal danishes are outstanding: whorls of buttery dough festooned with crunchy sugar crystals and filled with guava or strawberry-rhubarb jams. — Chris Morocco, Bon Appétit, "Rockaway Beach Bakery Is the Real Reason I Go to the Beach," 9 Aug. 2019 The shop is famous for its Caribbean-flavors ice cream, including Blue Mountain Coffee, Dragon Stout, guava and soursop. — Mark Rogers, USA TODAY, "Taking a family vacation to Jamaica? 10 reasons to leave your all-inclusive resort," 29 July 2019 Vivian Brandt, aka Auntie Viv, uses a Swan shaver and housemade fruit syrups in flavors like guava and passion fruit, with snow cap and li hing mui powder add-ons, just like on the islands. — Jackie Burrell, The Mercury News, "10 awesome Bay Area adventures for that mid-summer bucket list," 7 July 2019 Dessert will feature haupia, a thick coconut pudding round atop a macadamia cookie crust that’s drizzled with a syrup made from mango and guava. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "New eateries, high-profile delay among changes at Liberty Public Market," 27 Aug. 2019

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

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First Known Use of guava

1604, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for guava

Spanish guaba, guayaba, perhaps from Taino

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Time Traveler for guava

Time Traveler

The first known use of guava was in 1604

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Statistics for guava

Last Updated

1 Dec 2019

Cite this Entry

“Guava.” The Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster Inc., https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/guava. Accessed 12 December 2019.

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More Definitions for guava

guava

noun
How to pronounce guava (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of guava

: the sweet yellow fruit of a tropical American tree
: a tree that produces guavas

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

guava

noun
gua·​va | \ ˈgwä-və How to pronounce guava (audio) \

Kids Definition of guava

: the sweet fruit of a tropical American tree that has yellow or pink pulp

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More from Merriam-Webster on guava

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with guava

Spanish Central: Translation of guava

Nglish: Translation of guava for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about guava

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