guava

noun

gua·​va ˈgwä-və 

1

: any of several tropical American shrubs or small trees (genus Psidium) of the myrtle family

especially : a shrubby tree (P. guajava) widely cultivated for its yellow-skinned fruit with sweet acid yellow or pink flesh

2

: the roundish to pear-shaped fruit of a guava

Did you know?

This is any of many trees and shrubs of a genus that is native to the New World tropics. The two important species are common guava and cattley, or strawberry, guava. The sweet pulp of the common guava fruit has a musky, sometimes pungent odor. The pulp of the strawberry guava fruit has a strawberry-like flavor. Guavas are processed into jams, jellies, and preserves. Fresh guavas are rich in vitamins A, B, and C. They are eaten raw, sliced, and are often served in desserts.

Examples of guava in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Like ruffled guava and goat cheese pie, cheesy sesame seed crackers, pistachio baklava, and more. —Joe Sevier, Bon Appétit, 1 Feb. 2025

This sweet blend of guava, grapefruit and tangerine notes will transport you to paradise. —Greta Cross, USA TODAY, 25 Dec. 2024

Soft, approachable, delicious mid palate with flavors that include toffee, mandarins, guava and sweet apple pie. —Tom Mullen, Forbes, 6 Oct. 2024

The dish is $15 and can be paired with a warm winter cocktail menu including Maple Bourbon Coffee, whiskey spiked chamomile tea, and the Sugar & Spice, made with apples, pear, guava, cinnamon, hibiscus, cloves, sugarcane, demerara, with your choice of spirit. —Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Spanish guaba, guayaba, perhaps from Taino

First Known Use

1604, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing guava

• pineapple guava

Kids Definition

guava

noun

gua·​va ˈgwäv-ə 

: the sweet acid yellow-skinned fruit of a shrubby tropical American tree of the myrtle family

also : a tree that produces guavas and is widely grown in cultivation