Definition of 'pear'

Word Frequency

pear

(peəʳ )

Word forms: plural pears

countable noun

A pear is a sweet, juicy fruit which is narrow near its stalk, and wider and rounded at the bottom. Pears have white flesh and thin green or yellow skin.

Image of
pear

pear in British English

(pɛə )

noun

a widely cultivated rosaceous tree, Pyrus communis, having white flowers and edible fruits

the sweet gritty-textured juicy fruit of this tree, which has a globular base and tapers towards the apex

the wood of this tree, used for making furniture

Word origin

Old English pere, ultimately from Latin pirum

Word Frequency

pear in American English

(pɛr )

noun

a tree (Pyrus communis) of the rose family, with glossy leaves and greenish, brown, or reddish fruit

the soft, juicy fruit, round at the base and narrowing toward the stem

Word origin

ME pere < OE peru < VL *pira < L pl. of pirum, pear, akin to Gr apion: of pre-Gr Mediterranean orig.

Word Frequency

pear in American English

(pɛər)

noun

the edible fruit, typically rounded but elongated and growing smaller toward the stem, of a tree, Pyrus communis, of the rose family

the tree itself

Derived forms

pearlike

adjective

Word origin

[bef. 1000; ME pe(e)re, OE peru ‹ LL pira, fem. sing. use of pl. of L of pirum (neut.) pear]

Examples of 'pear' in a sentence
pear

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Top with the rest of the apple and pear and then the remaining custard.This is like comparing apples with pears.Deciding what to do with your life savings is not like picking a partridge in a pear tree.Try the leek vinaigrette with aged parmesan, and poached pears in red wine.The flesh can be used in sauces and drinks or to add flavour when mixed with other fruits, such as apples or pears in pies and preserves.Serve with a blob of fromage frais and some slices of peach or pear.And then we had a poached raw pear.What is the common factor of unexpected packages in a pear tree?HERE'S a pear so juicy the only safe place to eat it is in the bath!This is particularly true of women with apple or pear shapes.

Word lists with
pear

tree, wood

Quick word challenge

Quiz Review

Question: 1

Score: 0 / 5

Which tree am I?

Eurasian elm tree, Ulmus glabra, having a rounded shape, longish pointed leaves, clusters of small flowers, and winged fruits

ash horse chestnut witch elm

Which tree am I?

a feather palm, Phoenix dactylifera, probably native to N Africa and SW Asia and widely grown in other arid warm temperate and subtropical regions for its edible fruit (dates)

apple date palm walnut

Which tree am I?

a hybrid willow tree, Salix alba × S. babylonica, known as S. alba var. tristis, having long hanging branches: widely planted for ornament

Douglas fir plane weeping willow

Which tree am I?

any tree of the salicaceous genus Populus, of N temperate regions, having triangular leaves, flowers borne in catkins, and light soft wood

poplar walnut willow

Which tree am I?

a Eurasian maple tree, Acer pseudoplatanus, naturalized in Britain and North America, having five-lobed leaves, yellow flowers, and two-winged fruits

sycamore witch elm yew

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