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

The family and its staff curate dishes like papaya salad and massaman curry that look familiar on a menu, yet feel completely fresh and novel on your plate. —Mary Lebus, Cincinnati Enquirer, 15 Dec. 2025

Plus, every fruit drink is an experience of its own, from the refreshing coconut and piña colada to the juicier papaya and banana. —Rachel Chang, Travel + Leisure, 12 Dec. 2025

As shared on a Reddit thread, the papaya scrub has a very fine grain that doesn’t feel harsh on the skin. —Abigail Wilt, Southern Living, 8 Dec. 2025

This antiaging overnight mask contains AHAs, retinol and papaya enzymes to exfoliate the skin and smooth texture without irritation. —Bestreviews, Mercury News, 23 Nov. 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