pineapple

noun

pine·​ap·​ple ˈpī-ˌna-pəl 

1

a

: a tropical monocotyledonous plant (Ananas comosus of the family Bromeliaceae, the bromeliad family) that has rigid spiny-margined recurved leaves and a short stalk with a dense oblong head of small abortive flowers

b

: the large edible multiple fruit of the pineapple that consists of the sweet succulent fleshy inflorescence

2

: a hand grenade

Examples of pineapple in a Sentence

a can of chopped pineapple

Recent Examples on the Web

Pour the batter over the pineapple slices and cherries and smooth the surface. —Robin Miller, AZCentral.com, 29 July 2025

Strain over fresh ice into a tall glass and garnish with a pineapple wedge, pineapple frond, or both. —Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 26 July 2025

The convenience of dumping a can of pineapple chunks in juice into the pint, freezing it, and whipping it into a sorbet was not only economical but also satisfyingly simple. —Adam Campbell-Schmitt, Bon Appetit Magazine, 24 July 2025

Grab a pineapple beer or cocktail from the Kona Beer Garden. Details: 3-10 p.m., Austin Landing, 3601 Rigby Road, Miamisburg. —Caroline Ritzie, The Enquirer, 18 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1624, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing pineapple

• pineapple guava
• pineapple sage

Rhymes for pineapple

• appal
• apple
• chapel
• dapple
• grapple

Kids Definition

pineapple

noun

pine·​ap·​ple ˈpī-ˌnap-əl 

: a tropical plant with stiff spiny sword-shaped leaves and a short flowering stalk that develops into an edible fruit with usually pale yellow sweet juicy flesh and very thick skin

also : this fruit

Etymology

Middle English pinappel "the cone of a pine"; so called because the fruit looks like the cone from a pine tree

Medical Definition

pineapple

noun

pine·​ap·​ple ˈpī-ˌnap-əl 

1

: a tropical monocotyledonous plant (Ananas comosus of the family Bromeliaceae, the pineapple family) that has rigid spiny-margined recurved leaves and a short stalk with a dense oblong head of small abortive flowers

2

: the multiple fruit of the pineapple that consists of the succulent fleshy inflorescence and whose juice is the source of the proteolytic enzyme bromelain