pith

1 of 2

noun

ˈpith 

1

a

: a usually continuous central strand of spongy tissue in the stems of most vascular plants that probably functions chiefly in storage

b

: any of various loose spongy plant tissues that resemble true pith

c

: the soft or spongy interior of a part of the body

2

a

: the essential part : core

b

: substantial quality (as of meaning)

3

: importance

pith

2 of 2

verb

pithed; pithing; piths

transitive verb

1

a

: to kill (an animal) by piercing or severing the spinal cord

pith cattle

b

: to destroy the spinal cord or central nervous system of (an animal, such as a frog) usually by passing a wire or needle up and down the spinal canal

2

: to remove the pith from (a plant stem)

Synonyms

Noun

• root
• essence
• heart
• core
• kernel

Examples of pith in a Sentence

Noun

finally got to the pith of the discussion

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Anderson’s title lacks Pynchon’s pith but daydreams a culture of never-ending political obstruction and pandemonium. —James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 7 Oct. 2025

The blend balances a velvety, silky structure with flourishes of rose-water and pleasantly bitter citrus flavors, like biting into a ripe orange through the peel and pith. —Elizabeth Wellington, Bon Appetit Magazine, 8 Aug. 2025

This rosé is all about coastal herbs, grapefruit pith, white peach and sea spray, Landa prefaces. —Jillian Dara, Forbes.com, 4 Aug. 2025

Continue around the lemon until all of the peel and pith have been removed, going back to carefully remove any patches of pith as needed. —Stephanie Ganz, Southern Living, 7 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Old English pitha; akin to Middle Dutch & Middle Low German pit pith, pit

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1805, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing pith

• pith helmet
• pith ray

Rhymes for pith

• frith
• myth
• stith
• with
• withe
• beckwith
• blacksmith
• forthwith
• herewith
• locksmith
• outwith
• therewith

Kids Definition

pith

noun

ˈpith

1

a

: the loose spongy tissue that forms the center of the stem in most plants and probably functions chiefly in storage

b

: the spongy inside of a bone or feather

2

: the essential part : core

the pith of the problem

Medical Definition

pith

transitive verb

ˈpith 

1

: to kill (as cattle) by piercing or severing the spinal cord

2

: to destroy the spinal cord or central nervous system of (as a frog) usually by passing a wire or needle up and down the spinal canal