pomelo

noun

pom·​e·​lo ˈpä-mə-ˌlō 

plural pomelos

1

: grapefruit

2

or pummelo

ˈpə-mə-ˌlō 

a

: a very large thick-rinded usually pear-shaped citrus fruit differing from the closely related grapefruit especially in its loose rind and often coarse dry pulp

b

: a large widely cultivated tropical tree (Citrus maxima synonym C. grandis) of southeast Asia that bears pomelos

Examples of pomelo in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Scents range from Fire, a smoky gourmand with juniper berry, tobacco accord, and Tahitian vanilla; to Libertine, an aromatic citrus with notes of pomelo, hibiscus, and cedarwood inspired by the Terrace Lofts at the hotel. —Michael Stefanov, Robb Report, 11 July 2024

After sipping tea spiked with bee pollen, we are served trays of fresh-cut pomelo and dragonfruit and serenaded with traditional instruments like the đàn sến, which sounds like a twangy Vietnamese banjo. —Ashlea Halpern, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Nov. 2023

But the chef’s inventive side is irrepressible, coming out in a wonderful salad of pomelo, sheep’s milk Valbreso and mango chutney and the most decadent perogies that’ll ever melt on your tongue. —John Metcalfe, The Mercury News, 7 Mar. 2024

At Arnett Farms there were Buddha’s hand citrons; bergamot oranges; pomelos; Meyer lemons; and Kishu, Fairchild, Nova, Golden Nugget and Satsuma tangerines. —Betty Hallock, Los Angeles Times, 18 Feb. 2024

Word History

Etymology

probably alteration of earlier pompelmous, from Dutch pompelmoes

First Known Use

1817, in the meaning defined at sense 2