papaw

[ paw-paw, puh-paw ]

noun

1. a variant of pawpaw.

papaw

/ pəˈpɔː /

noun

1. another name for papaya
2. Also calledcustard apple
   1. a bush or small tree, Asimina triloba, of central North America, having small fleshy edible fruit: family Annonaceae
   2. the fruit of this tree

Word History and Origins

Origin of papaw¹

C16: from Spanish papaya

Example Sentences

He’s not basking on his basking log, and neither is he napping beneath the papaw trees.

From Washington Post

“His papaw talked him into it, just like he did the rest of us,” Chandler’s mom, Cindy, said.

From Washington Times

The house was filled with shadows where before, light and cool breezes had swept through, refreshing the haven my papaw and granny created through their quiet labor.

From Salon

For our last stop, we follow Martinez up the peaceful Marlow’s Creek, an area called a breadbasket marsh because of its abundance of edibles: wild rice and papaws, to name a few.

From Washington Post

One of her earliest memories is coming to the museum with her “papaw” and seeing the Egyptian mummy.

From Washington Times