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

Deer typically steer clear of pawpaw trees, as the leaves, twigs, and bark are infused with compounds known as acetogenins. —Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 14 Apr. 2026

Salazar's ship sails toward the Mediterranean with skewers of harissa marinated chicken and the deep Midwest with a pawpaw leche de tigre served with Gulf shrimp ceviche. —Usa Today Network, USA Today, 11 Feb. 2026

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

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