persimmon

noun

per·​sim·​mon pər-ˈsi-mən 

1

: any of a genus (Diospyros) of trees of the ebony family with hard fine wood, oblong leaves, and small bell-shaped flowers

especially : an eastern U.S. tree (D. virginiana) or a Japanese tree (D. kaki)

2

: the usually orange several-seeded globular berry of a persimmon that is edible when fully ripe but usually extremely astringent when unripe

Examples of persimmon in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Hikers will pass by Texas persimmon trees and bluestem prairie grass, with armadillos and rabbits popping in and out of the wilderness. —Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 3 Sep. 2025

Dried pineapple and ripe persimmon come to mind, along with spiced white tea and blackcurrant jam. —David Thomas Tao, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2025

After attending a presentation from the young persimmon advocates, and with just a couple weeks left to file the persimmon bill, Lindauer made the dreams of Jasper fourth graders come true. —Anna Cecil, IndyStar, 2 July 2025

The clean formula utilizes tapioca starch to absorb oil, persimmon extract for a pleasant scent, and tsubaki seed oil for hydration. —Izzy Baskette, People.com, 22 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Virginia Algonquian pessemmin

First Known Use

1612, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for persimmon

• saleswomen
• countrywomen
• englishwomen
• gentlewomen
• washerwomen
• crimen
• imine
• women

Kids Definition

persimmon

noun

per·​sim·​mon pər-ˈsim-ən 

1

: any of a genus of trees with hard fine wood, oblong leaves, and small bell-shaped white flowers

2

: the usually orange fruit of a persimmon that resembles a plum and is edible when fully ripe but usually very bitter when unripe

Medical Definition

persimmon

noun

per·​sim·​mon pər-ˈsim-ən 

1

: any tree or shrub of the genus Diospyros

especially : one (D. virginiana) of the eastern United States whose bark has been used as an astringent

2

: the usually orange globular berry of a persimmon that is edible when fully ripe but usually extremely astringent when unripe