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

Native Americans, early settlers, some of our Founding Fathers and today’s small-town folk have harvested and relished pawpaws on sunny fall days. —John Vukmirovich, Chicago Tribune, 5 Sep. 2025

The pawpaw semifreddo at Wildweed With his pawpaw ice cream sandwich, chef David Jackman demonstrates his appreciation of the Midwestern bounty. —Keith Pandolfi, The Enquirer, 29 Aug. 2025

Farmers don’t typically grow pawpaws because the raw fruit spoils easily and is difficult to ship, according to the Kansas State University E​xtension Office. —Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 28 Aug. 2025

There’s a long stretch of pawpaw somewhere along the banks of Fall Creek. —Karl Schneider, IndyStar, 25 Aug. 2025

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