Thompson seedless

noun

1. a yellow, seedless variety of grape used in producing raisins.
2. the vine bearing this fruit, grown in California.

Word History and Origins

Origin of Thompson seedless¹

1890–95, Americanism; named after W. B. Thompson (1869–1930), American horticulturist

Example Sentences

“That same thing can also be said about table grapes, because that was another industry that was very highly dependent on the Thompson seedless variety, which became out of favor in consumers’ minds.”

From Los Angeles Times

Sultanas, also known as golden raisins, are made with the same white-fleshed Thompson Seedless grapes as classic raisins.

From Salon

Here is another strange new thing about grapes: the ones in the supermarket such as Thompson Seedless and Crimson Flame are always sweet.

From The Guardian

When labor shortages and price shocks hit in the early 2000s, growers altered vineyards so that machines could shake partially withered Thompson seedless grapes onto paper trays, a method that can slash more than 80% of labor costs, according to U.C.

From Los Angeles Times

Not that Oregon is suddenly going to be shipping truckloads of Thompson Seedless out of state.

From Washington Times