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

Wong and Emma planted a Chinese persimmon tree and sold sugar, bread and salted pork at their store in Stoneville, Mississippi. —Erika Hayasaki, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 May 2025

Luna moths use the leaves of persimmon trees to make their cocoons. —Markis Hill, Kansas City Star, 13 May 2025

The two homes — at 8 and 10 Keller Street — share a backyard anchored by a grand persimmons tree, lawn, gardens and an expansive terrace. —David Caraccio, Sacbee.com, 7 Apr. 2025

Recommended for pear and persimmon trees, as well as dwarf and semi-dwarf apple trees. —Luke Miller, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Mar. 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