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

The flavors feature smoky persimmon, red cherry, and medulla dates. —Joseph V Micallef, Forbes, 21 Dec. 2024

Seasonal ingredients are frequently added, too, including chestnuts or persimmons in the fall, sumo citrus in winter, and cherry blossoms come spring. —Caroline Newton, Bon Appétit, 12 Dec. 2024

Bright, deep orange; aromas of yellow and red plum, currant, persimmon and orange pekoe tea. —Tom Hyland, Forbes, 16 Dec. 2024

Then tofu dressed in white miso and served over fresh persimmon. —Rosecrans Baldwin, Travel + Leisure, 16 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Virginia Algonquian pessemmin

First Known Use

1612, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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