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

With textures and flavors similar to an apple pie, this pear pie is an unexpected twist on the classic. —Abby Fribush, Southern Living, 10 Apr. 2026

Cold-hardy, standard rootstock pears are excellent options for areas with high winds. —Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 8 Apr. 2026

For good-size fruits, thin any marble-size fruits on mature stone fruit, apple and pear trees to just one fruit along every 4 to 6 inches of branch. —Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Apr. 2026

Originally sterile, the Bradford pear began producing fertile fruit after cross-pollination with other pear cultivars. —Campbell Vaughn, USA Today, 3 Apr. 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