avocado

[av-uh-kah-doh, ah-vuh-]

noun

plural

avocados 

1. Also called alligator pear. a large, usually pear-shaped fruit having green to blackish skin, a single large seed, and soft, light-green pulp, borne by the tropical American tree Persea americana and its variety P. adrymifolia, often eaten raw, especially in salads.

2. the tree itself.

avocado

/ ˌævəˈkɑːdəʊ /

noun

1. a pear-shaped fruit having a leathery green or blackish skin, a large stony seed, and a greenish-yellow edible pulp

2. the tropical American lauraceous tree, Persea americana, that bears this fruit

3. 1. a dull greenish colour resembling that of the fruit

   2. (as modifier)

      an avocado bathroom suite

Word History and Origins

Origin of avocado¹

1690–1700; alteration of Spanish abogado literally, lawyer ( advocate ), by confusion with Mexican Spanish aguacate < Nahuatl āhuacatl avocado, testicle; alligator pear

Word History and Origins

Origin of avocado¹

C17: from Spanish aguacate, from Nahuatl ahuacatl testicle, alluding to the shape of the fruit

Example Sentences

Shoppers at five Tesco stores in England can scan their avocados to find out how ripe they are.

From BBC

After dominating the U.S. for decades, California avocado farmers have been lapped by Mexican growers offering cheaper fruit.

From Los Angeles Times

Taking that time has helped them realize they want to retain their raised garden beds and fruit trees in the backyard, including vigorous avocado and pomegranate trees grown from seeds.

From Los Angeles Times

However you play it, avocado brings richness and calm — a buttery green exhale before the plunge.

From Salon

The plans involve using greenhouses on the site to take advantage of CO2 and heat to produce food such as avocados, which are not usually grown commercially in the UK.

From BBC