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

Early recipes typically relied on pectin-rich fruits like apples and quinces to achieve a firm, set texture. —Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 9 Apr. 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

The three-course lunch menu is exceptional value at €58 ($68), featuring locavore produce like delicate omble chevalier (Arctic char) line-fished in the deep icy waters of Lake Annecy, or a simple onion, cooked with a sweet almond cream, quince, and rosemary oil. —John Brunton, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Feb. 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