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

Another option is to place more emphasis on soft masts, such as apples, crabapples, pawpaws, pears, persimmons, and more. —Josh Honeycutt, Outdoor Life, 17 Oct. 2024

Outside, there’s also a separate ADU, plus the property is fronted by its own persimmon orchard. —Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 10 Oct. 2024

The singular rule of using persimmon seeds for weather prediction is where they are sourced. —Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 6 Oct. 2024

Aromas of persimmons, black cherries, raspberries, coriander and a slab of cooking chocolate as well as baking spices—nutmeg and cloves. —Tom Mullen, Forbes, 29 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Virginia Algonquian pessemmin

First Known Use

1612, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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