plum

noun

ˈpləm 

often attributive

1

: any of various trees and shrubs (genus Prunus) of the rose family with globular to oval smooth-skinned edible fruits that are drupes with oblong seeds

also : the fruit

2

: any of various trees with edible fruits resembling plums

also : the fruit

3

a

: a raisin when used in desserts

b

: sugarplum

4

: something superior or very desirable

especially : something desirable given in return for a favor

5

: a dark reddish purple

plumlike

ˈpləm-ˌlīk 

adjective

Synonyms

• prize
• gem
• jewel
• treasure
• pearl

Examples of plum in a Sentence

a bowl of peaches and plums

Dried plums are also called “prunes.”

That deal is a real plum for the contractor.

Recent Examples on the Web

Here, sushi rice is molded into a rounded triangle, stuffed with a choice of fillings including spicy pollock roe, pork belly or pickled plums, then wrapped in crisp nori. —Keith Pandolfi, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025

In other words, these proxy packages are for scalpers who use the proxies to scoop up plum seats on sites like StubHub and Ticketmaster and resell them at a premium. —Kim Key, PC Magazine, 1 July 2025

Notes of peach are rounded out with plum, amber, bergamot, jasmine, vanilla orchid, milky sandalwood and coconut caramel. —Celia Shatzman, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025

Better yet, the maceration process of these little plums yields a liquid called umeboshi acidulate that has a distinctive sour-salty flavor and anti-inflammatory properties that support gut health. —Veronica Cristino, Vogue, 26 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English plūme, modification of Latin prunum plum, from Greek proumnon

First Known Use

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

Phrases Containing plum

• beach plum
• Japanese plum
• plum pudding
• plum tomato

Rhymes for plum

• bum
• chum
• come
• crum
• cum
• drum
• dum
• dumb
• from
• frum
• glum
• gum

Kids Definition

plum

noun

ˈpləm 

1

a

: any of numerous trees and shrubs related to the peach and cherries and having globe-shaped to oval edible fruits with an oblong stone

b

: the smooth-skinned fruit of a plum

2

: a raisin when used in desserts (as puddings or cake)

3

: something very desirable

4

: a dark reddish purple

plumlike

-ˌlīk 

adjective

Geographical Definition

Plum

geographical name

ˈpləm 

borough in southwestern Pennsylvania that is a suburb of Pittsburgh population 27,126