pawpaw

noun

paw·​paw

variants or less commonly papaw

1

pə-ˈpȯ  : papaya

2

ˈpä-(ˌ)pȯ 

ˈpȯ-

: a North American tree (Asimina triloba) of the custard-apple family with purple flowers and an edible green-skinned fruit

also : its fruit

Examples of pawpaw in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Maclellan Island is an overgrown wilderness of pine trees, pawpaw, and rivercane in the Tennessee River, across from downtown Chattanooga, Tennessee. — Daliah Singer, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Sep. 2026

Water levels in lakes and rivers dropped too low for recreation, wildfires swept through the Wayne National Forest, and crop losses meant fewer of the region’s beloved pawpaw fruit when the annual Ohio Pawpaw Festival arrived. — Fiona Doherty, The Conversation, 5 Aug. 2026

Despite being a native plant, pawpaw trees present a unique set of challenges for home gardeners. — Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 29 May 2026

Special collections include a pitcher plant bog, native azaleas and more than 15 cultivars of pawpaw. — Aj Willingham, AJC.com, 13 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

probably modification of Spanish papaya

First Known Use

1624, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for pawpaw

• quapaw

Kids Definition

pawpaw

noun

paw·​paw

variants also papaw

1

pə-ˈpȯ

: papaya

2

ˈpäp-(ˌ)ȯ, 

ˈpȯp-

: a North American tree having purple flowers and an edible fruit with green skin

also : its fruit

Medical Definition

pawpaw

variant of papaw