pear

noun

ˈper 

1

: a pome fruit of a tree (genus Pyrus, especially P. communis) of the rose family that typically has a pale green or brownish skin, a firm juicy flesh, and an oblong shape in which a broad base end tapers upward to a narrow stem end

2

: a tree bearing pears

Examples of pear in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Dark chocolate rugelach lends a pastry-like quality to the midpalate, alongside fresh apples and pears. — David Thomas Tao, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026

Violently hot summers have sucked peach, pear, persimmon, and other trees dry. — Angelica Calabrese, Longreads, 7 July 2026

That little green or yellow can in the grocery store that boasts pictures of pears, cherries, grapes, and other fruit on the label? — Josh Miller, Southern Living, 4 July 2026

Plant your pear tree in a sunny location and choose a spot with well-draining soil to ensure the best success. — Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 4 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English pere, from Old English peru, from Vulgar Latin *pira, from Latin, plural of pirum

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing pear

• alligator pear
• Anjou pear
• Asian pear
• avocado pear
• Bradford callery pear
• Bradford pear
• callery pear
• d'Anjou pear
• go pear-shaped
• pear psylla
• pear-shaped
• prickly pear
• prickly pear cactus
• prickly pear fruit
• vegetable pear

Rhymes for pear

• air
• ayre
• bahr
• bare
• blare
• care
• chair
• claire
• ere
• err
• eyre
• fair

Kids Definition

pear

noun

ˈpa(ə)r 

ˈpe(ə)r

: a fruit that is commonly larger at the end opposite the stem and typically has a pale green or brownish skin and juicy flesh

also : a tree that bears pears and is related to the apple