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.
There is plenty to eat at Bok Tower Gardens outside of its on-site Blue Palmetto Cafe: citrus trees amid its Olmstead Gardens and trails, orchards with nectarines and papaya, grape vines and blackberry brambles and blueberry bushes. Amy Drew Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 July 2025 That includes avocado, coconut oil, olive oil, papaya and shea butter. Malaka Gharib, NPR, 8 Apr. 2025 Many banana and papaya plants are fruiting; feed monthly for best production. 38. Tom MacCubbin, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 June 2025 Physical rice and sugar exfoliants along with papaya enzymes help to target and slough away dead skin cells, while green coffee oil helps to brighten skin. Kayla Greaves, Essence, 23 June 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Papaya.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/papaya. Accessed 22 Jul. 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

More from Merriam-Webster on papaya

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