Definition of 'pear'

Word Frequency

pear

(pɛər )

Word forms: pears

countable noun

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

Image of
pear

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]

Word Frequency

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

Examples of 'pear' in a sentence
pear

These examples have been automatically selected and may contain sensitive content. Read more…

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?

any of several trees of the genus Aesculus, esp the Eurasian A. hippocastanum, having palmate leaves, erect clusters of white, pink, or red flowers, and brown shiny inedible nuts enclosed in a spiky bur: family Hippocastanaceae

horse chestnut silky oak yucca

Which tree am I?

an Australian yellow-flowered leguminous plant, Acacia pycnantha, that yields a useful gum and bark

acacia black bean golden wattle

Which tree am I?

any of several trees of the Australian genus Grevillea, esp G. robusta, having divided leaves, smooth glossy wood, and showy clusters of orange, red, or white flowers: cultivated in the tropics as shade trees: family Proteaceae

horse chestnut linden silky oak

Which tree am I?

a New Zealand coniferous tree, Agathis australis, with oval leaves and round cones: family Araucariaceae

kauri monkey puzzle Scots pine

Which tree am I?

any of various chiefly Australian acacia trees having spikes of small brightly coloured flowers and flexible branches, which were used by early settlers for making fences

linden wattle willow

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