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

Besides the delicious sandwiches, the mango and papaya parfait was particularly delightful and light, and the chocolate cake came adored with a pink butterfly. —Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 26 Sep. 2025

For several hundred dollars less, is its cocktail of acids (lactic, glycolic, salicylic) and fruit enzymes (pineapple and papaya) going to help keep your pores clear and your skin bright? —Sophia Panych, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025

With a few locations across the city, OZO cafés are the type of place where baristas regularly gush about how much their rotating single-origin espresso tastes of strawberries or papaya. —Alex Mayyasi, Saveur, 10 Sep. 2025

The traditional papaya salad, noodles and sticky rice are served with angus beefs. —Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1598, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for papaya

• messiah
• nyaya
• pariah
• rupiah
• shariah
• vinaya
• gaia
• maia
• maya
• playa
• via
• jeremiah

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