persimmon

noun

per·​sim·​mon pər-ˈsi-mən 

1

: any of a genus (Diospyros) of trees of the ebony family with hard fine wood, oblong leaves, and small bell-shaped flowers

especially : an eastern U.S. tree (D. virginiana) or a Japanese tree (D. kaki)

2

: the usually orange several-seeded globular berry of a persimmon that is edible when fully ripe but usually extremely astringent when unripe

Examples of persimmon in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Choose from classic persimmon orange or white to compliment your autumnal decor, both for under $75. — Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Sep. 2026

Unripe fruit from persimmon trees is picked and then peeled and fermented, which can take months or years. — Footwear News, 9 Sep. 2026

When resources in New England were scarce, ingenious settlers started brewing beer with pumpkins, as well as peaches, persimmons, Jerusalem artichokes, peas and even corn stalks. — Jay R. Brooks, Mercury News, 2 Sep. 2026

Superior-class rooms bump up to 275 square feet, with persimmon-orange accents conveying a warmer energy. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Virginia Algonquian pessemmin

First Known Use

1612, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for persimmon

• saleswomen
• countrywomen
• englishwomen
• gentlewomen
• washerwomen
• crimen
• imine
• thymine
• women

Kids Definition

persimmon

noun

per·​sim·​mon pər-ˈsim-ən 

1

: any of a genus of trees with hard fine wood, oblong leaves, and small bell-shaped white flowers

2

: the usually orange fruit of a persimmon that resembles a plum and is edible when fully ripe but usually very bitter when unripe

Medical Definition

persimmon

noun

per·​sim·​mon pər-ˈsim-ən 

1

: any tree or shrub of the genus Diospyros

especially : one (D. virginiana) of the eastern United States whose bark has been used as an astringent

2

: the usually orange globular berry of a persimmon that is edible when fully ripe but usually extremely astringent when unripe