papaya

noun

pa·​pa·​ya pə-ˈpī-ə 

: a tropical American tree (Carica papaya of the family Caricaceae, the papaya family) having an oblong to globose yellow edible fruit with numerous black seeds in a central cavity

also : its fruit

Examples of papaya in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This luxury Arabian perfume carries notes of papaya and lemon, peach and rose, coconut and hibiscus. —Hyphensocial Contributors, Rolling Stone, 4 Dec. 2024

The menu of juices was extensive (don’t miss the morning smoothie, a mango, papaya, and coconut cream blend), as was the selection of local treats curated by Ruano. —Jacqui Gifford, Travel + Leisure, 30 Jan. 2025

Level up your routine even more with this splurge-worthy pick that combines mango and papaya enzymes and salt to exfoliate with omega 3 and omega 6 oils to hydrate, which makes this one of the most skin-softening scrubs on this list. —Alanna Martine Kilkeary, Glamour, 29 Jan. 2025

Carter Estate, 2022 Les Nobles Private Reserve Les Nobles features a cocktail of ripe tropical fruits—pineapple, mango, and papaya—complemented by toasted vanilla, butterscotch, and wood spice hints of nutmeg and clove. —Joseph V Micallef, Forbes, 11 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Spanish, of American Indian origin; akin to Arawak papáia papaya

First Known Use

1598, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

papaya

noun

pa·​pa·​ya pə-ˈpī-ə 

: an oblong edible yellow fruit with many black seeds that grows on a tropical American tree with large leaves

also : the tree

Medical Definition

papaya

noun

pa·​pa·​ya pə-ˈpī-ə 

: a tropical American tree of the genus Carica (C. papaya) with large oblong yellow edible fruit

also : its fruit which is the source of papain