avocado

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

noun

, plural av·o·ca·dos.

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

Since the concept of planting trees is a verified way by carbon offset marketplaces to reduce planet-warming emissions, Hannah Gbeh, executive director of San Diego’s Farm Bureau branch, wonders why citrus or avocado trees wouldn’t count.

From Voice of San Diego

Its ingredients include avocado, fresh herbs like cilantro or parsley, and chile peppers — though Araujo keeps her own recipe and its ingredients a closely guarded secret.

From Eater

Usually, she said, she picks up a few bulky vegetables — a bunch of kale, maybe, or a few avocados — to disguise the pricier items she slips into her bag at the self checkout.

From Washington Post

The holiday-season rum-centric box features a Filipino-inspired cocktail flavored with avocado and coconut.

From Popular-Science

We have avocados that are a great source of riboflavin, vitamins C and potassium.

From Search Engine Land

De Merode sits at a long table and digs into a plate piled with rice, beans, and avocado.

From The Daily Beast

“I have three piles of fundraising,” she said, pushing aside a sliced egg and avocado salad to demonstrate.

From The Daily Beast

Any time of the day here is good to try tayoyos, an oval-shaped cake made of masa and stuffed with beans and avocado leaves.

From The Daily Beast

Chipotle noted in a recent investor letter that they might cut back on their signature guacamole because of avocado scarcity.

From The Daily Beast

Of note: The bracketed [a] in the titles means that this is an avocado, as opposed to a male [m] or female [f].

From The Daily Beast

Avocado pears or alligator pears are pear-shaped, but look more like green and brown fresh figs.

From Project Gutenberg

The origin of that of alligator is unknown; avocado is a corruption of the Mexican ahuaca, or aguacate.

From Project Gutenberg

Sure is nice to rub up against some Southern swells like we did that night at the Avocado Club.

From Project Gutenberg

The Avocado is easily reproduced by budding and grafting, and the best varieties may be obtained in this manner.

From Project Gutenberg

They have not the plantain, good 21 baked, nor the avocado or alligator pear, which fried in butter or oil is so admirable.

From Project Gutenberg