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

Here are four ways that drinking pear juice regularly may affect your health. —Merve Ceylan, Health, 9 Dec. 2025

And one of León’s favorites is his pear and quinoa salad starter, served with walnuts, cranberries and lemon vinaigrette. —Rachel Bernhard, jsonline.com, 9 Dec. 2025

In the fall seasons, shoppers can get produce like crisp apples perfect for baking, sweet pears, vibrant pumpkins and winter squash, earthy Brussels sprouts, and the first cranberries of fall. —Matt Emma, USA Today, 8 Dec. 2025

However, unlike pears, which require more winter cold than Southern California experiences in order to flower and fruit, quince can grow anywhere in California. —Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 5 Dec. 2025

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