pawpaw

noun

paw·​paw

variants or less commonly papaw

1

pə-ˈpȯ  : papaya

2

ˈpä-(ˌ)pȯ 

ˈpȯ-

: a North American tree (Asimina triloba) of the custard-apple family with purple flowers and an edible green-skinned fruit

also : its fruit

Examples of pawpaw in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Some fruit trees with taproots, including pawpaws, citrus trees, and persimmons, may struggle when grown from bare-root plants, but are much easier to grow from potted ones. —Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 17 Jan. 2026

Make sure to plant a second pawpaw to ensure pollination. —Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 2 Nov. 2025

School kids who walk to their local orchard in Pendleton Heights to pick pears, figs and pawpaws could soon see the community garden get paved over with a fresh parking lot. —Chris Higgins, Kansas City Star, 20 Oct. 2025

My pawpaw worked in construction as a cement finisher for his primary source of income. —Lisa Deaderick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

probably modification of Spanish papaya

First Known Use

1624, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for pawpaw

• quapaw

Kids Definition

pawpaw

noun

paw·​paw

variants also papaw

1

pə-ˈpȯ

: papaya

2

ˈpäp-(ˌ)ȯ, 

ˈpȯp-

: a North American tree having purple flowers and an edible fruit with green skin

also : its fruit

Medical Definition

pawpaw

variant of papaw