pear

noun

ˈper 

1

: a pome fruit of a tree (genus Pyrus, especially P. communis) of the rose family that typically has a pale green or brownish skin, a firm juicy flesh, and an oblong shape in which a broad base end tapers upward to a narrow stem end

2

: a tree bearing pears

Examples of pear in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

And last but certainly not least, Cosmic Captain is formulated to take consumers to infinity and beyond with evening star oil and hints of crisp pear, cedarwood and creamy fig. —Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 15 May 2026

Bradford pears stink, their hard berries stain and make a mess of walkways, and their seeds spread prolifically. —Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 11 May 2026

For deciduous trees like apples, peaches, and pears, aim for four to six weeks before bloom. —Rachel Silva, Martha Stewart, 11 May 2026

Studded with tiny blueberries, blue flowers, oranges, or summer pears, these sleek tumblers come with a matching glass lid and straw. —Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English pere, from Old English peru, from Vulgar Latin *pira, from Latin, plural of pirum

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing pear

• alligator pear
• Anjou pear
• Asian pear
• avocado pear
• Bradford callery pear
• Bradford pear
• callery pear
• d'Anjou pear
• go pear-shaped
• pear psylla
• pear-shaped
• prickly pear
• prickly pear cactus
• prickly pear fruit
• vegetable pear

Rhymes for pear

• air
• ayre
• bahr
• bare
• blare
• care
• chair
• claire
• ere
• err
• eyre
• fair

Kids Definition

pear

noun

ˈpa(ə)r 

ˈpe(ə)r

: a fruit that is commonly larger at the end opposite the stem and typically has a pale green or brownish skin and juicy flesh

also : a tree that bears pears and is related to the apple