plum

noun

ˈpləm 

often attributive

1

: any of various trees and shrubs (genus Prunus) of the rose family with globular to oval smooth-skinned edible fruits that are drupes with oblong seeds

also : the fruit

2

: any of various trees with edible fruits resembling plums

also : the fruit

3

a

: a raisin when used in desserts

b

: sugarplum

4

: something superior or very desirable

especially : something desirable given in return for a favor

5

: a dark reddish purple

plumlike

ˈpləm-ˌlīk 

adjective

Synonyms

• catch
• gem
• jewel
• pearl
• prize
• treasure

Examples of plum in a Sentence

a bowl of peaches and plums

Dried plums are also called “prunes.”

That deal is a real plum for the contractor.

Recent Examples on the Web

Breakfast is a highlight, featuring an array of fresh fruit, pastries, bread, cheeses, salamis, yogurt, jams, and local specialties, including plum crostata (pie) and chestnut honey. —Carissa & Dino Tozzi, Travel + Leisure, 10 Feb. 2025

Between the chicken and bone-in bison topped with a shirt plum blueberry sauce, there wasn’t a dish that lacked a blend of sweet and spice. —Morgan Tilton, The Denver Post, 4 Feb. 2025

Her bestseller is Dark Rose, with notes of pink peppercorn, plum, rose, cumin, vanilla, patchouli and labdanum, sold at $150 for 50 ml. or $45 for 10 ml. —Ryma Chikhoune, WWD, 4 Feb. 2025

Greif Lagrein, 2021 Greif Lagrein is intense and rich, with dark fruit aromas of blackberry, black cherry, and plum and secondary notes of dark chocolate, leather, and tobacco, along with subtle hints of violet and black pepper. —Joseph V Micallef, Forbes, 18 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English plūme, modification of Latin prunum plum, from Greek proumnon

First Known Use

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

Phrases Containing plum

• beach plum
• Japanese plum
• plum pudding
• plum tomato

Kids Definition

plum

noun

ˈpləm 

1

a

: any of numerous trees and shrubs related to the peach and cherries and having globe-shaped to oval edible fruits with an oblong stone

b

: the smooth-skinned fruit of a plum

2

: a raisin when used in desserts (as puddings or cake)

3

: something very desirable

4

: a dark reddish purple

plumlike

-ˌlīk 

adjective

Geographical Definition

Plum

geographical name

ˈpləm 

borough in southwestern Pennsylvania that is a suburb of Pittsburgh population 27,126