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 various Australian trees or shrubs, esp Brachychiton populneum, a sterculiaceous tree that yields a tough durable fibre

bottle tree kurrajong silky oak

Which tree am I?

a betulaceous tree, Betula pendula, of N temperate regions of the Old World, having silvery-white peeling bark

alder birch silver birch

Which tree am I?

a small drought-resistant tree, Geijera parviflora, of Australia, having hard aromatic wood, white flowers, and foliage that resembles that of the willow

Antarctic beech walnut wilga

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?

any of various tropical American trees of the myrtaceous genus Psidium, esp P. guajava, grown in tropical regions for their edible fruit

guava mahogany walnut

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