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

The Mountain Fire burned about a quarter of Ventura county’s avocado harvest.

From Los Angeles Times

The avocados were only about a month away from being ripe enough for market.

From Los Angeles Times

Preliminary findings estimated more than $7 million in agriculture losses from the fire, which scorched avocado, citrus, raspberry and other fields as well as rangeland, said Korinne Bell, Ventura County’s agricultural commissioner.

From Los Angeles Times

“We rank No. 1 in the state for avocados and sadly avocados have been hardest hit in this fire so far,” Bell said in a Monday night news conference.

From Los Angeles Times

Food, beverage and packaging costs were up due to inflation affecting several key ingredients, specifically avocados and dairy.

From Salon