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

To hasten ripening, place persimmons in a paper bag with ethylene-producing fruit like a banana or apple. —Randi Gollin, Martha Stewart, 11 Jan. 2026

We’d harvest persimmons, figs, and pomegranates from our orchard. —David Caraccio, Sacbee.com, 10 Jan. 2026

The bathrooms are especially photogenic, with their persimmon tile, psychedelic wallpaper by George Venson of Voutsa, and custom silk bathrobes that can be purchased at the ByGeorge gift shop downstairs. —AFAR Media, 30 Dec. 2025

Once the leaves drop, the persimmons remain for several weeks as orange ornaments on the bare branches (unless the crows get to them first). —Joshua Siskin, Oc Register, 27 Dec. 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