: 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
Watch the burning, then dance your worries away amid live music.
September 12-14
A relative of the papaya, pawpaw treesare native to Ohio, and their fruit tastes like a cross between a banana and a mango.
—
Teaghan Skulszki, Outside Online, 4 July 2025
The study suggests that coconut, papaya, dragon fruit, turmeric, star anise and coriander may play a large role in flavor for 2025.
—Maggie Menderski, The Courier-Journal, 2 July 2025
Enzymatic ingredients: Pineapple, papaya, kiwi, mango and other fruits with natural enzymes like bromelain break down proteins more quickly.
—Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 22 June 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for papaya
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.
Teaghan Skulszki, Outside Online, 4 July 2025
The study suggests that coconut, papaya, dragon fruit, turmeric, star anise and coriander may play a large role in flavor for 2025.
—Maggie Menderski, The Courier-Journal, 2 July 2025
Enzymatic ingredients: Pineapple, papaya, kiwi, mango and other fruits with natural enzymes like bromelain break down proteins more quickly.
—Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 22 June 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for papaya
Cite this Entry
“Papaya.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/papaya. Accessed 7 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
papaya
noun
pa·pa·ya
pə-ˈpī-ə 
: an oblong edible yellow fruit with many black seeds that grows on a tropical American tree with large leaves
also
: the tree
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share