papaw

1 of 2

noun (1)

pa·​paw

less common spelling of pawpaw

1
pə-ˈpȯ How to pronounce papaw (audio) : papaya
2
ˈpä-(ˌ)pȯ How to pronounce papaw (audio)
ˈpȯ-
 : a North American tree (Asimina triloba) of the custard-apple family with purple flowers and an edible green-skinned fruit
also : its fruit

pawpaw

2 of 2

noun (2)

paw·​paw
variants or less commonly papaw
1
pə-ˈpȯ How to pronounce pawpaw (audio) : papaya
2
ˈpä-(ˌ)pȯ How to pronounce pawpaw (audio)
ˈpȯ-
 : a North American tree (Asimina triloba) of the custard-apple family with purple flowers and an edible green-skinned fruit
also : its fruit

Examples of papaw 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.
Noun
Many focused on home, family, mama, papaw and grampa. — Bob Hill, Louisville Courier Journal, 23 Dec. 2025
Noun
Water levels in lakes and rivers dropped too low for recreation, wildfires swept through the Wayne National Forest, and crop losses meant fewer of the region’s beloved pawpaw fruit when the annual Ohio Pawpaw Festival arrived. — Fiona Doherty, The Conversation, 5 Aug. 2026 Despite being a native plant, pawpaw trees present a unique set of challenges for home gardeners. — Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 29 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for papaw

Word History

Etymology

Noun (2)

probably modification of Spanish papaya

First Known Use

Noun (2)

1624, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of papaw was in 1624

Rhymes for papaw

See All Rhymes for papaw

Browse Nearby Words

papaverine
papaw
papaw family
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Papaw.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/papaw. Accessed 16 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

papaw

variant of pawpaw

Medical Definition

papaw

noun
pa·​paw
variants or pawpaw
1
pə-ˈpȯ How to pronounce papaw (audio) : papaya
2
ˈpäp-(ˌ)ȯ, ˈpȯp-
 : a North American tree (Asimina triloba of the family Annonaceae) with purple flowers and a yellow edible fruit
also : its fruit

More from Merriam-Webster on papaw

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about papaw

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of zeugma

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

The Words of the Week - Aug. 14

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Words from the 'Odyssey'

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
image of a green cube out of place in a lineup of red spheres
Odd Word Out: Synonyms Vol. 2 Quiz Figure out which word isn't like the others.
See All