quince

noun

ˈkwin(t)s 

1

: the fruit of a central Asian tree (Cydonia oblonga) of the rose family that resembles a hard-fleshed yellow apple and is used especially in preserves

2

: a tree that bears quinces compare Japanese quince

Illustration of quince

• quince 1

Examples of quince in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Mornings brought a generous buffet of regional cheeses, handmade sour-cherry and quince jams, and flaky börek pastries. —Anya Von Bremzen, Travel + Leisure, 31 May 2026

Good sun exposure makes flowering quince produce more blooms from late winter to spring. —Steve Bender, Southern Living, 27 May 2026

Despite its noteworthy cold tolerance, the flowering quince has a decidedly tropical look with big and showy flowers that come in vivid shades of pink, red, and orange, or brilliant white. —Lauren Landers, The Spruce, 9 Apr. 2026

The new breakfast and lunch restaurant from Fonda San Miguel owner Tom Gilliland is as beautiful and serene as a four-star Mexican hotel and the empanada — firm but flaky, stuffed with quince jam and edged by baked manchego cheese — was sweet, savory and gooey with a nice touch of umami. —Matthew Odam, Austin American Statesman, 2 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English quynce quinces, plural of coyn, quyn quince, from Anglo-French coign, from Latin cotoneum, alteration cydonium, from Greek kydōnion

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing quince

• Japanese quince

Rhymes for quince

• mince
• prince
• rinse
• since
• wince
• convince
• evince

Kids Definition

quince

noun

ˈkwin(t)s 

: the fruit of an Asian tree that resembles a yellow apple with hard flesh and is used especially for marmalade, jelly, and preserves

also : a tree that bears quinces

Medical Definition

quince

noun

ˈkwin(t)s 

: the fruit of a central Asian tree of the genus Cydonia (C. oblonga) that resembles a hard-fleshed yellow apple

also : the tree