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

According to D’Amico, sweet persimmons attract opossums, coyotes, squirrels, songbirds, deer, and more, while fallen pawpaw fruits draw a variety of wildlife including foxes, raccoons, wild turkeys, and songbirds. — Louise Parks, Martha Stewart, 31 Oct. 2026

The candles—soy wax, offered with crackling wood wicks—are handmade by the small biz, who also make charming, Asian-America-nostalgic scents inspired by White Rabbit candy, persimmon, and boba. — Alaina Chou, Bon Appetit Magazine, 29 Oct. 2026

Sampling persimmons from a guy growing six varieties in California’s Central Valley. — Rachel Levin, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Oct. 2026

The Inside Of Persimmon Seeds Since the early 1800s, Appalachians have been splitting ripe persimmon seeds lengthwise to examine the white kernel inside. — Tricia Goss, Southern Living, 7 Oct. 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