pineapple

noun

pine·​ap·​ple ˈpī-ˌna-pəl 

1

a

: a tropical monocotyledonous plant (Ananas comosus of the family Bromeliaceae, the pineapple family) that has rigid spiny-margined recurved leaves and a short stalk with a dense oblong head of small abortive flowers

b

: the large edible multiple fruit of the pineapple that consists of the sweet succulent fleshy inflorescence

2

: a hand grenade

Examples of pineapple in a Sentence

a can of chopped pineapple

Recent Examples on the Web

Upside down pineapple displayed in front yard, patio or mailbox. —John Tufts, The Courier-Journal, 18 July 2024

Don’t forget to include a snack in between meals, such as cottage cheese with pineapple, which provides 24 grams of protein. —Sandra Rose Salathe, Flow Space, 18 July 2024

Older whisky isn’t always good whisky, but this is a fantastic release that is not overly oaky or dominated by tropical fruit as can be the case sometimes, with notes of dark chocolate, pineapple, vanilla, caramel, raisin, and cinnamon on the palate. —Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 17 July 2024

This cake features another tasty combination that brings together sweet pineapple, cream cheese, and toasted coconut. —Krissy Tiglias, Southern Living, 14 July 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1624, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing pineapple

• pineapple guava
• pineapple sage

Kids Definition

pineapple

noun

pine·​ap·​ple ˈpī-ˌnap-əl 

: a tropical plant with stiff spiny sword-shaped leaves and a short flowering stalk that develops into an edible fruit with usually pale yellow sweet juicy flesh and very thick skin

also : this fruit

Etymology

Middle English pinappel "the cone of a pine"; so called because the fruit looks like the cone from a pine tree

Medical Definition

pineapple

noun

pine·​ap·​ple ˈpī-ˌnap-əl 

1

: a tropical monocotyledonous plant (Ananas comosus of the family Bromeliaceae, the pineapple family) that has rigid spiny-margined recurved leaves and a short stalk with a dense oblong head of small abortive flowers

2

: the multiple fruit of the pineapple that consists of the succulent fleshy inflorescence and whose juice is the source of the proteolytic enzyme bromelain