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

While gardeners can try their hand at growing Asian persimmons, American persimmons are native to North America. —Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Jan. 2025

Strawberries, along with rainbow kiwi and fuyu persimmons, are currently included in Ikigai’s omakase box, which changes seasonally. —Sarah Khan Jameson Montgomery Cathy Erway Lindsey Tramuta Jameson Montgomery Reggie Nadelson, New York Times, 16 Jan. 2025

Ornamental offerings include flowering dogwood, persimmon, serviceberry and elderberry. —Jason Clayworth, Axios, 12 Feb. 2025

Fuyu persimmons are the variety that boasts a tomato-like shape. —Cathy Thomas, Orange County Register, 22 Oct. 2024

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