papaya

noun

pa·​pa·​ya pə-ˈpī-ə How to pronounce papaya (audio)
: a tropical American tree (Carica papaya of the family Caricaceae, the papaya family) having an oblong to globose yellow edible fruit with numerous black seeds in a central cavity
also : its fruit

Examples of papaya 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.
For several hundred dollars less, is its cocktail of acids (lactic, glycolic, salicylic) and fruit enzymes (pineapple and papaya) going to help keep your pores clear and your skin bright? Sophia Panych, Allure, 16 Sep. 2025 With a few locations across the city, OZO cafés are the type of place where baristas regularly gush about how much their rotating single-origin espresso tastes of strawberries or papaya. Alex Mayyasi, Saveur, 10 Sep. 2025 The traditional papaya salad, noodles and sticky rice are served with angus beefs. Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 Sep. 2025 The prominent actress teased her fashion partnership by attending Sarah Burton’s debut Givenchy fashion show last March wearing a slim, one-sleeve dress in a striking papaya color, and toting a mini Antigona bag in box leather. Miles Socha, Footwear News, 29 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for papaya

Word History

Etymology

Spanish, of American Indian origin; akin to Arawak papáia papaya

First Known Use

1598, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of papaya was in 1598

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Cite this Entry

“Papaya.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/papaya. Accessed 20 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

papaya

noun
pa·​pa·​ya pə-ˈpī-ə How to pronounce papaya (audio)
: an oblong edible yellow fruit with many black seeds that grows on a tropical American tree with large leaves
also : the tree

Medical Definition

papaya

noun
pa·​pa·​ya pə-ˈpī-ə How to pronounce papaya (audio)
: a tropical American tree of the genus Carica (C. papaya) with large oblong yellow edible fruit
also : its fruit which is the source of papain

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