persimmon

noun

per·​sim·​mon pər-ˈsi-mən 

1

: any of a genus (Diospyros) of trees of the ebony family with hard fine wood, oblong leaves, and small bell-shaped flowers

especially : an eastern U.S. tree (D. virginiana) or a Japanese tree (D. kaki)

2

: the usually orange several-seeded globular berry of a persimmon that is edible when fully ripe but usually extremely astringent when unripe

Examples of persimmon in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

On the right side of the property, Peter planted several fruit trees, including a couple of fig trees, a pomegranate, plum and olive trees, a persimmon and guava. — Caron Golden, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Nov. 2026

According to D’Amico, sweet persimmons attract opossums, coyotes, squirrels, songbirds, deer, and more, while fallen pawpaw fruits draw a variety of wildlife including foxes, raccoons, wild turkeys, and songbirds. — Louise Parks, Martha Stewart, 31 Oct. 2026

The candles—soy wax, offered with crackling wood wicks—are handmade by the small biz, who also make charming, Asian-America-nostalgic scents inspired by White Rabbit candy, persimmon, and boba. — Alaina Chou, Bon Appetit Magazine, 29 Oct. 2026

Sampling persimmons from a guy growing six varieties in California’s Central Valley. — Rachel Levin, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Virginia Algonquian pessemmin

First Known Use

1612, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for persimmon

• saleswomen
• countrywomen
• englishwomen
• gentlewomen
• washerwomen
• crimen
• imine
• thymine
• women

Kids Definition

persimmon

noun

per·​sim·​mon pər-ˈsim-ən 

1

: any of a genus of trees with hard fine wood, oblong leaves, and small bell-shaped white flowers

2

: the usually orange fruit of a persimmon that resembles a plum and is edible when fully ripe but usually very bitter when unripe

Medical Definition

persimmon

noun

per·​sim·​mon pər-ˈsim-ən 

1

: any tree or shrub of the genus Diospyros

especially : one (D. virginiana) of the eastern United States whose bark has been used as an astringent

2

: the usually orange globular berry of a persimmon that is edible when fully ripe but usually extremely astringent when unripe