pineapple

noun

pine·​ap·​ple ˈpī-ˌna-pəl 

1

a

: a tropical monocotyledonous plant (Ananas comosus of the family Bromeliaceae, the bromeliad family) that has rigid spiny-margined recurved leaves and a short stalk with a dense oblong head of small abortive flowers

b

: the large edible multiple fruit of the pineapple that consists of the sweet succulent fleshy inflorescence

2

: a hand grenade

Examples of pineapple in a Sentence

a can of chopped pineapple

Recent Examples on the Web

Dole — one of the largest producers of pineapples, bananas and other fresh fruit — is moving its U.S. headquarters from 200 South Tryon to 22,645 square feet at One South at Trade and Tryon in Uptown. —Laura Barrero, Axios, 19 Dec. 2024

The flavors feature lime peel, vanilla cream, and black pepper on pineapple. —Joseph V Micallef, Forbes, 17 Dec. 2024

Canned pineapple and an angel food cake mix come together to make this simple and sweet dessert. —Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 16 Dec. 2024

Add the pineapple and lime juices and the Angostura and tiki bitters. —Saveur Editors, Saveur, 11 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1624, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing pineapple

• pineapple guava
• pineapple sage

Kids Definition

pineapple

noun

pine·​ap·​ple ˈpī-ˌnap-əl 

: a tropical plant with stiff spiny sword-shaped leaves and a short flowering stalk that develops into an edible fruit with usually pale yellow sweet juicy flesh and very thick skin

also : this fruit

Etymology

Middle English pinappel "the cone of a pine"; so called because the fruit looks like the cone from a pine tree

Medical Definition

pineapple

noun

pine·​ap·​ple ˈpī-ˌnap-əl 

1

: a tropical monocotyledonous plant (Ananas comosus of the family Bromeliaceae, the pineapple family) that has rigid spiny-margined recurved leaves and a short stalk with a dense oblong head of small abortive flowers

2

: the multiple fruit of the pineapple that consists of the succulent fleshy inflorescence and whose juice is the source of the proteolytic enzyme bromelain