avocado

American  

[av-uh-kah-doh, ah-vuh-] / ˌæv əˈkɑ doʊ, ˌɑ və- /

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.

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avocado British  

/ 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

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Etymology

Origin of avocado

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

Example Sentences

A lemon tree was charred, and an avocado tree had shed all of its fruit.

From Barron's • Mar. 20, 2026

I like typical scrambled eggs, bacon, avocado toast and sometimes a bagel.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 6, 2026

LAS VEGAS—The newest lounge at Harry Reid International Airport serves lobster rolls and avocado toast, and its bartenders mix cocktails worthy of the trendiest bars on The Strip.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 4, 2026

And he, as a young boy, was part of the avocado trade before emigrating to the United States.

From Slate • Feb. 25, 2026

Now, Olanna smoothed the napkin on her lap and smiled at the steward placing a plate of halved avocado next to her.

From "Half of a Yellow Sun" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie