longan

noun

lon·​gan ˈlȯŋ-gən How to pronounce longan (audio)
-ən
1
: a pulpy fruit related to the lychee and produced by a southeast Asian evergreen tree (Euphoria longan synonym Dimocarpus longan) of the soapberry family
2
: a tree that bears the longan

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web Worakanya Panyaprasertkit, a longan exporter in Thailand, said a shipment of her fruit was stuck at the border with Vietnam for 60 days. New York Times, 5 Feb. 2022 Weeks later, a farmer, frustrated by the government’s failed promise to subsidize longan crops while the pandemic kept borders closed to exports, posted a video of tons of his annual harvest going to rot. New York Times, 15 Jan. 2022 The produce section will offer fruits native to Asia, such as jackfruit, persimmons, longan and durian, according to a slideshow presented at the preview event. Priscilla Totiyapungprasert, azcentral, 22 Jan. 2020 On a hot autumn day, the 78-year-old pianist points out the longan, papaya and starfruit trees in the villa’s garden. The Economist, 18 Dec. 2019 Just hope your meal ends with the addictive glutinous black rice porridge, which is gently sweet and pairs well with the longan tea that'll be served alongside it. Hanya Yanagihara, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Sep. 2018 The North San Diego County Chapter of the California Rare Fruit Growers meets from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday featuring guest speaker Dr. Gary Bender who will give a presentation on longans, lychees and more. Linda Mcintosh, sandiegouniontribune.com, 16 May 2018 Mangoes, longans, governor’s plum, avocados, sapotes and citrus appeared on the decades-old trees in the gardens, according to Miami Herald reports at the time. Elizabeth Koh, miamiherald, 28 Oct. 2017 Begin with the gin-and-tea sour and end with the decidedly Taiwanese Old Fashioned flaunting longan. Alia Akkam, Vogue, 18 Sep. 2017 See More

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

Word History

Etymology

Chinese (Beijing) lóngyǎn, literally, dragon's eye

First Known Use

1655, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of longan was in 1655

Dictionary Entries Near longan

Cite this Entry

“Longan.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/longan. Accessed 21 Mar. 2023.

More from Merriam-Webster on longan

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!


What Did You Just Call Me?

  • brown chihuahua sitting on the floor with squinting eyes looking at the camera
  • Before we went to her house, Hannah told us her aunt was a flibbertigibbet.
Name That Thing

You know what it looks like… but what is it called?

TAKE THE QUIZ
Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can with using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.

Can you make 12 words with 7 letters?

PLAY