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

Our founder has more than 200 fruit trees in her orchard on her Bedford farm, including peaches, apples, pears, cherries, medlars, and more. —Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 19 Feb. 2026

Other top ring shapes include emerald (8 percent), princess (8 percent), pear/teardrop (8 percent), and marquise (8 percent). —Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 18 Feb. 2026

Made in the French style but from California fruit, this shows a tension between creamy apple and pear and refreshing citrus. —Laura Ness, Mercury News, 17 Feb. 2026

According to Malone, other great gut-friendly fruit options to add to your diet include kiwi for regularity, pomegranate for a boost of polyphenols, and apples and pears for additional fiber. —Eleesha Lockett, Verywell Health, 17 Feb. 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