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

Working as an assistant in her sister-in-law’s empanada business, Cocson developed her own creation, filling the pastry with homemade longganisa sausage, shredded papaya, mung bean sprouts and an egg. —Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 23 Jan. 2026

The city’s colorful outdoor food markets lay abandoned—the usual smell of ripe papaya replaced by the stench of yesterday’s scraps, rotting in the heat. —Armando Ledezma, New Yorker, 14 Jan. 2026

Water Watering your papaya is important, but providing too much water is the real danger. —Samantha Johnson, Martha Stewart, 13 Jan. 2026

Instead of being masked by a flavor that’s reminiscent of movie theater popcorn, modern Chardonnays allow the grape’s natural flavors and aromas, like apple, citrus, papaya, pineapple, and white flowers, to shine. —Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 31 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Spanish, borrowed from Taino papaya (or from a cognate Arawakan word)

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