plural fruits
often attributive
1
a
: a product of plant growth (such as grain, vegetables, or cotton)
the fruits of the field
b(1)
: the usually edible reproductive body of a seed plant
especially
: one having a sweet pulp associated with the seed
the fruit of the tree
(2)
: a succulent (see succulent entry 1 sense 1c) plant part (such as the petioles (see petiole sense 1) of a rhubarb plant) used chiefly in a dessert or sweet course
c
: a dish, quantity, or diet of fruits
live on fruit
d
: a product of fertilization (see fertilization sense b) in a plant with its modified envelopes or appendages
specifically
: the ripened ovary (see ovary sense 2) of a seed plant and its contents
e
: the flavor or aroma of fresh fruit in mature wine
The wine's fruit is rich in tangerine, apricot, and papaya flavors.
3
4
slang, offensive
: a gay person
—used as a term of abuse and disparagement
fruited; fruiting; fruits
: to bear fruit
: to cause to bear fruit
Synonyms
Examples of fruit in a Sentence
Noun
apples, oranges, and other fruits
one fruit of your faithfulness in carrying out your duties will be more rewarding responsibilities
Verb
When will the trees fruit?
Recent Examples on the Web
Veronica Hilbring, Essence.com, 11 July 2017
My feeling is generally in the case of summer fruit pies, if things are in season and at their peak bounty, why be skimpy?
—Rick Martinez, Bon Appetit, 8 July 2017
Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 July 2024
Usually, the suckers below the first fruiting cluster are removed so the development of those tomatoes won’t be slowed.
—Dawn Pettinelli, Hartford Courant, 29 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for fruit 
Noun
The hanging fruits had been emblazoned with the letters of the Black sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha, Inc.
—Veronica Hilbring, Essence.com, 11 July 2017
My feeling is generally in the case of summer fruit pies, if things are in season and at their peak bounty, why be skimpy?
—Rick Martinez, Bon Appetit, 8 July 2017
Verb
Once the trees begin fruiting, look for these signs to know when figs are ripe and ready to pick:
Deepening color.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 July 2024
Usually, the suckers below the first fruiting cluster are removed so the development of those tomatoes won’t be slowed.
—Dawn Pettinelli, Hartford Courant, 29 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for fruit
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'fruit.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near fruit
Cite this Entry
“Fruit.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fruit. Accessed 15 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
fruit
1 of 2 noun1
: a usually useful product of plant growth (as grain)
fruits of the earth
2
a
: a product of fertilization in a plant with its coverings or associated parts
especially
: the ripened ovary of a seed plant (as the pod of a pea, a nut, a grain, or a berry) with or without the attached parts
b
: the ripened ovary of a seed plant (as an apple or raspberry) when sweet and pulpy
c
: a juicy plant part (as the stalk of a rhubarb) used chiefly as a dessert
3
: result entry 2 sense 1, product
the fruits of our labors
fruit
2 of 2 verb
: to bear or cause to bear fruit
Medical Definition
fruit
nounoften attributive
1
: the usually edible reproductive body of a seed plant
especially
: one having a sweet pulp associated with the seed
the fruit of the tree
2
: a product of fertilization in a plant with its modified envelopes or appendages
specifically
: the ripened ovary of a seed plant and its contents
Legal Definition
fruit
noun1
a
: something (as evidence) that is obtained or gathered during an action or operation (as a search)
moved to suppress evidence seized from the room on the grounds that it was obtained as the fruit of an illegal arrest—National Law Journal
National Law Journal
b
plural
: fruit of the poisonous tree
the Court was asked to extend the…fruit doctrine—Oregon v. Elstad, 470 U.S. 298 (1985)
Oregon v. Elstad, 470 U.S. 298 (1985)2
a
in the civil law of Louisiana
: property (as income or goods) produced by or derived from other movable or immovable property without diminution of its substance
co-owners share the fruits and products of the thing held—Louisiana Civil Code
compare product sense 3
Louisiana Civil Code
—
civil fruit
: the revenue derived from property especially by virtue of an obligation (as a lease)
—
natural fruit
: an animal or plant product (as a crop)
b
: income that is produced or earned by other property or services
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share