papaya

noun

pa·​pa·​ya pə-ˈpī-ə 

: a tropical American tree (Carica papaya of the family Caricaceae, the papaya family) having an oblong to globose yellow edible fruit with numerous black seeds in a central cavity

also : its fruit

Examples of papaya in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Key Ingredients: Vegetable protein, neem oil, papaya extract, heat-protection polymer Size: 166 ml / 5.6 oz. —Kiana Murden, Vogue, 10 July 2024

Keep In Mind This supplement has digestive enzymes from papaya and pineapple, which some people may be allergic to. —Isabel Vasquez Rd Ldn, Verywell Health, 9 July 2024

Overall, green beans are great as a side dish, like a Thai papaya green bean salad. —Sherri Gordon, Health, 9 July 2024

In addition to offering fresh fruits and vegetables, vendors fry bananas, or scoop up servings of papaya salad, dish out Vietnamese noodle soups, and crack coconuts for refreshing drinks. —Jennifer Justus, Southern Living, 2 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

Spanish, of American Indian origin; akin to Arawak papáia papaya

First Known Use

1598, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

papaya

noun

pa·​pa·​ya pə-ˈpī-ə 

: an oblong edible yellow fruit with many black seeds that grows on a tropical American tree with large leaves

also : the tree

Medical Definition

papaya

noun

pa·​pa·​ya pə-ˈpī-ə 

: a tropical American tree of the genus Carica (C. papaya) with large oblong yellow edible fruit

also : its fruit which is the source of papain