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

The annual Courier Journal Folklore Forecast, which leans heavily on the signs from the woolly worms, persimmons, walnuts, squirrels, and hedge apples, will publish Nov. 3. —Kirby Adams, Louisville Courier Journal, 16 Oct. 2025

The rosy flowers in this fall bouquet pair well with branches of persimmons and a mix of fall foliage. —Emily Williams, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Oct. 2025

Bold colors, like persimmon and aqua, break up all the antiques and give the ceiling frescoes (yes, there are multiple) a mod spin. —Elly Leavitt, Vogue, 2 Oct. 2025

Pawpaws, guavas, and persimmons can add a spicy tropical flair to drinks like the Gin Fizz, Collins, and Old Fashioned, while cranberry adds a splash of tartness and festivity to margaritas and Palomas. —Essence, 29 Sep. 2025

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
• 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