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

Over the past few weeks, elephants had also destroyed her guava tree and her vegetable patch, prompting the family to abandon efforts to grow their own food. —Tommy Trenchard, NPR, 8 Dec. 2024

Pick up ingredients like guava paste, Cuban bread, and fresh ham and try making croquetas and pastelitos to treat your friends and family to a little taste of Cuba. —Walaa Elsiddig, Billboard, 20 Nov. 2024

Guava This exotic fruit that grows in tropical areas also tops the list of foods richest in vitamin C: 100 grams of guava offers about 228 mg of this vital nutrient. —Alessandra Signorelli, Vogue, 3 July 2024

Along with corn and squash, other seasonal foods native to Mexico, such as guava, tejocote (Mexican hawthorn) and tunas (prickly pear), play a significant role in the cultural legacy of the celebration. —Paola Briseño-Gonzalez, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 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