pear

noun

ˈper How to pronounce pear (audio)
1
: a pome fruit of a tree (genus Pyrus, especially P. communis) of the rose family that typically has a pale green or brownish skin, a firm juicy flesh, and an oblong shape in which a broad base end tapers upward to a narrow stem end
2
: a tree bearing pears

Examples of pear in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Try it with: Try Glenfiddich 12 Year for its smooth, slightly sweet profile with hints of pear and oak. —Emily Price, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024 Snugly arrange the pears in a baking pan, cut sides up. —Lynda Balslev, The Mercury News, 28 Oct. 2024 Apples, pears, and many other types of fruit release ethylene gas, which causes vegetables to ripen and decay faster. —Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 26 Oct. 2024 Garnish with pear from a saucepan and a fresh thyme sprig. Reach Kirby Adams at kadams@courier-journal.com or Twitter @kirbylouisville. —Kirby Adams, The Courier-Journal, 21 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for pear 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English pere, from Old English peru, from Vulgar Latin *pira, from Latin, plural of pirum

First Known Use

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of pear was before the 12th century

Phrases Containing pear

Dictionary Entries Near pear

peapod

pear

pear bark beetle

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Pear.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pear. Accessed 25 Nov. 2024.

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Kids Definition

pear

noun
ˈpa(ə)r How to pronounce pear (audio)
ˈpe(ə)r
: a fruit that is commonly larger at the end opposite the stem and typically has a pale green or brownish skin and juicy flesh
also : a tree that bears pears and is related to the apple

More from Merriam-Webster on pear

Nglish: Translation of pear for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of pear for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about pear

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