dragon fruit

noun

variants or less commonly dragonfruit

ˈdra-gən-ˌfrüt 

plural dragon fruits or dragon fruit also dragonfruits or dragonfruit

1

: a large usually oval to oblong fruit of any of several erect, sprawling, or vining cacti (as of the genera Selenicereus or Sternocereus) that has leathery skin with prominent scaly spikes and juicy flesh : pitaya sense 2

especially : the fruit of a widely cultivated cactus (Selenicereus undatus) of Mexico and Central America that usually has bright pink or red skin and white or sometimes red, mildly sweet flesh with numerous tiny black seeds

Suddenly, dragon fruit—also known as pitaya or pitahaya—is popping up in teas, thirst quenchers and even vodka. But its allure may have as much to do with is distinctive looks as its flavor.

—The New York Times

One of the latest foods to satisfy the United States appetite for the exotic, the dragon fruit is produced by a cactus that can draw moisture from the air like an orchid.

—A. R. Williams

Tropical dragonfruit tasting like watermelon in one bite and strawberry in another, was an enchanting garnish for Concord grape granita with a lime sorbet …

—Caroline Bates

2

: a cactus that produces dragon fruit : pitaya sense 1

Baskin's garden includes a pitaya or a dragon fruit plant that grows large red fruit with green spikes.

—Deborah S. Hartz-Seeley

Examples of dragon fruit in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Head to the Cadillac Hotel & Beach Club for menu items like the Wing of My Heart (Buffalo wings with blue cheese dipping sauce) and Cruel Summer cocktail (a mix of Aviation gin, St. Germain, homemade raspberry syrup, and dragon fruit). —Beth Luberecki, USA TODAY, 5 Oct. 2024

Other countries that produce dragon fruit include Israel and Australia.8 In the United States, dragon fruit is imported primarily from Southeast Asia. —Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 8 Oct. 2024

The chef José Pizarro buzzes through the covered market in Barbate at speed–past flamenco buskers holding their guitars up to their chins, and pomegranates, dragon fruit, and crab’s feet—making a beeline for razor clams and bluefin tuna, called atún rojo in Spain for its ruby flesh. —Lydia Bell, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 May 2024

Then, to see whether the seeds remained intact after being digested, the researchers fed silver dragon fruits to three kinds of invertebrates—camel crickets, rough woodlice, and earwigs—and examined their feces under a microscope. —Bygennaro Tomma, science.org, 8 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1963, in the meaning defined at sense 1