plum

noun

ˈpləm How to pronounce plum (audio)
often attributive
Synonyms of plumnext
1
: any of various trees and shrubs (genus Prunus) of the rose family with globular to oval smooth-skinned edible fruits that are drupes with oblong seeds
also : the fruit
2
: any of various trees with edible fruits resembling plums
also : the fruit
3
a
: a raisin when used in desserts
b
: sugarplum
4
: something superior or very desirable
especially : something desirable given in return for a favor
5
: a dark reddish purple
plumlike
ˈpləm-ˌlīk How to pronounce plum (audio)
adjective

Synonyms

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of plum in a Sentence

a bowl of peaches and plums Dried plums are also called “prunes.” That deal is a real plum for the contractor.
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.
His 2021 Spring Street Cabernet Sauvignon is inky purple colored with aromas of red plum, black currant, and a touch of crushed violet petals. — Mike Desimone and Jeff Jenssen, Robb Report, 17 Apr. 2025 This starts with boysenberry and black plum, before moving into allspice, clove, savory meaty notes, black tea, forest floor, and concluding with a faint hint of minerally sea salt. — Liz Thach, Forbes.com, 16 Apr. 2025 Stone fruit: Stone fruits like peaches, plums, apricots, and pluots can become mealy when stored in the fridge. — Catherine Jessee, Southern Living, 6 Apr. 2025 Dark Rose, my current favorite, balances floral, fruity, and woody notes with a blend of plum, pink peppercorn, black rose, vanilla, and patchouli. — Robyn Merrett, StyleCaster, 1 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for plum

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English plūme, modification of Latin prunum plum, from Greek proumnon

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of plum was before the 12th century

Phrases Containing plum

Rhymes for plum

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Browse Nearby Words

plug weld
plum
Plum
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Cite this Entry

“Plum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/plum. Accessed 27 Apr. 2025.

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Kids Definition

plum

noun
ˈpləm How to pronounce plum (audio)
1
a
: any of numerous trees and shrubs related to the peach and cherries and having globe-shaped to oval edible fruits with an oblong stone
b
: the smooth-skinned fruit of a plum
2
: a raisin when used in desserts (as puddings or cake)
3
: something very desirable
4
: a dark reddish purple
plumlike
-ˌlīk How to pronounce plum (audio)
adjective

Geographical Definition

Plum

geographical name

ˈpləm How to pronounce Plum (audio)
borough in southwestern Pennsylvania that is a suburb of Pittsburgh population 27,126

More from Merriam-Webster on plum

Nglish: Translation of plum for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about plum

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