quince

noun

ˈkwin(t)s 

1

: the fruit of a central Asian tree (Cydonia oblonga) of the rose family that resembles a hard-fleshed yellow apple and is used especially in preserves

2

: a tree that bears quinces compare Japanese quince

Illustration of quince

• quince 1

Examples of quince in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

El Five has a four-course menu for the festivities, offering Spanish delicacies such as jamon ibérico, goat cheese with quince jam, patatas bravas, paella and crème brûlée. —Miguel Otárola, The Denver Post, 6 Feb. 2025

Bear in mind that spring-flowering shrubs such as lilac, forsythia and quince already have their flower buds for the coming spring in winter, so pruning them now will reduce the bloom show this spring. —Beth Botts, Chicago Tribune, 26 Jan. 2025

Additionally, this limited-edition by Res Tribus, which pays tribute to Día de los Muertos, has been infused with marigolds, as well as Mandarin oranges, lime, and quince. —Richard Carleton Hacker, Robb Report, 24 Jan. 2025

Related Video Kendall Jenner is the First Person to Wear This Givenchy Dress From 1999 At Brio, an Italian restaurant in Amsterdam, a meal could happily either begin or end with their focaccia soft serve, which comes with peanut sauce, quince jelly, olive oil, and sea salt. —Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 6 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English quynce quinces, plural of coyn, quyn quince, from Anglo-French coign, from Latin cotoneum, alteration cydonium, from Greek kydōnion

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing quince

• Japanese quince

Kids Definition

quince

noun

ˈkwin(t)s 

: the fruit of an Asian tree that resembles a yellow apple with hard flesh and is used especially for marmalade, jelly, and preserves

also : a tree that bears quinces

Medical Definition

quince

noun

ˈkwin(t)s 

: the fruit of a central Asian tree of the genus Cydonia (C. oblonga) that resembles a hard-fleshed yellow apple

also : the tree