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

With so many uses, why isn't the pawpaw more popular? —Kirby Adams, The Courier-Journal, 1 Aug. 2025

Pawpaw Fest features a pawpaw growers’ competition, a pawpaw beer tasting, and a pawpaw-eating contest. —Teaghan Skulszki, Outside Online, 4 July 2025

Watch the burning, then dance your worries away amid live music. September 12-14 A relative of the papaya, pawpaw treesare native to Ohio, and their fruit tastes like a cross between a banana and a mango. —Teaghan Skulszki, Outside Online, 4 July 2025

Growing Conditions: Full sun and rich, well-draining soil Size: 10-25 feet Hardiness Zones: 4-9 10 of 10 Pawpaw Apple trees are native to Central Asia, and peach trees hail from Northwest China, but pawpaws are native to North America. —Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Jan. 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