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

Expect lime, pineapple and apple blossom on the nose, while flavors of peaches, pears and bright citrus dance on the palate. —Emily Cappiello, Forbes.com, 7 May 2025

Golden Delicious apples can be replaced with your favorite juicy, sweet apples or firm pears. —The Washington Post, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 May 2025

Guava is a tropical fruit with a flavor that intersects between strawberry and pear, sometimes with a tang. —Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 5 May 2025

There are oranges and a pear and a lemon and a basketball and a baguette placed against a swirly backdrop. —Jia Tolentino, New Yorker, 3 May 2025

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