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

Regulars indulge their bistro swagger with oysters on the half shell, foie gras torchon with fig-pear marmalade, cheese souffle, brown butter skate wing, and a proper steak au poivre. —Claudia Alarcón, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026

Rapid movements that might speed up breathing were to be avoided, as was the consumption of fine breads and corn, mushrooms and cheese (though eating pears and pomegranates was encouraged). —Literary Hub, 27 May 2026

Flowers like tree blossoms (lilac, apple, crab apple, pear), violas, marigolds, dahlias and nasturtiums typically bloom first, followed by perennial herbs like thyme, oregano, and chives. —Sara Rosenthal, Denver Post, 27 May 2026

Its ripe flesh is pale green, with a texture often compared to a ripe pear. —Joanna Sciarrino, Bon Appetit Magazine, 27 May 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