pomegranate

noun

pome·​gran·​ate ˈpä-mə-ˌgra-nət 

ˈpäm-ˌgra-nət,

ˈpəm- 

1

: a several-celled reddish berry that is about the size of an orange with a thick leathery skin and many seeds with pulpy crimson arils of tart flavor

2

: a widely cultivated tropical Asian tree (Punica granatum of the family Lythraceae) bearing pomegranates

Illustration of pomegranate

Examples of pomegranate in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Three men wearing ski masks, dark clothing and gloves had used power tools to slice open a hole in the museum’s door, crawl in and smash glass cabinets to steal the white pomegranate vase, as well as a porcelain bowl and doucai-style wine cup, also from the imperial Ming dynasty. —Daniel Taylor, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2025

This Pinot Noir has aromas of wild strawberry, bramble, and black cherry with silky smooth tannins and flavors of cranberry, pomegranate, and red plum. —Mike Desimone and Jeff Jenssen, Robb Report, 4 Apr. 2025

For Azerbaijan, where pomegranates are more than agriculture, the fruit may soon bear more than symbolic value. —Daphne Ewing-Chow, Forbes.com, 1 Apr. 2025

Our cocktail program highlights Afghan flavors, featuring ingredients like saffron, cumin, pomegranate, and yogurt. —Chelsea Davis, Forbes, 19 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English poumgrenet, from Anglo-French pome garnette, literally, seedy fruit

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for pomegranate

• gannet
• granite
• planet
• intranet

Kids Definition

pomegranate

noun

pome·​gran·​ate ˈpäm-(ə-)ˌgran-ət  ˈpəm-ˌgran- 

: a reddish fruit about the size of an orange that has a thick leathery skin and many seeds in a pulp of tart flavor

also : a tropical Asian tree that produces pomegranates

Etymology

Middle English poumgrenet "pomegranate," from early French pomme garnette "pomegranate," literally, "seedy fruit"; pomme from earlier pome "apple" and grenate derived from Latin granum "grain, seed" — related to garnet, grain, grenade see Word History at garnet

Medical Definition

pomegranate

noun

pome·​gran·​ate ˈpäm-(ə-)ˌgran-ət  ˈpəm-ˌgran- 

1

: a tart thick-skinned several-celled reddish berry that is about the size of an orange

2

: a widely cultivated tropical Old World tree (Punica granatum of the family Punicaceae) bearing pomegranates and having bark and roots which were formerly used in dried form as a taeniacide