pome

American  

[pohm] / poʊm /

noun

Botany.

1. the characteristic fruit of the apple family, as an apple, pear, or quince, in which the edible flesh arises from the greatly swollen receptacle and not from the carpels.

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pome British  

/ pəʊm /

noun

1. the fleshy fruit of the apple and related plants, consisting of an enlarged receptacle enclosing the ovary and seeds

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pome Scientific  

/ pōm /

1. A fleshy simple fruit that has several seed chambers developed from a compound ovary and an outer fleshy part developed from the enlarged base of the flower. The pome is an accessory fruit and is characteristic of certain plants in the rose family, such as the apple and pear.

2. Also called false fruit

3. Compare berry drupe See more at accessory fruit simple fruit

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Other Word Forms

• pomelike adjective

Etymology

Origin of pome

1350–1400; Middle English < Middle French < Latin pōma, plural (taken as singular) of pōmum fruit

Example Sentences

But behind closed curtains stands the humble pear — a pome fruit that enjoys its peak season during the autumnal months, despite being available year-round.

From Salon • Nov. 17, 2025

Crops at risk of this particular invasive species include pome and stone fruits, citrus, dates, avocados and many vegetables, particularly tomatoes and peppers.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 6, 2024

Affected apples also contain an excess amount of sorbitol — a naturally occurring sugar alcohol that's commonly found in berries and pome fruit varieties.

From Salon • Nov. 8, 2021

Yet Mr. García’s chartreuse-yellow pome could masquerade as an almost-ripe pear.

From New York Times • Nov. 21, 2012

Asked to the John Brown meeting, but had no "good gown," so didn't go; but my "pome" did, and came out in the paper.

From Louisa May Alcott : Her Life, Letters, and Journals by Alcott, Louisa May

Related Words

• berry
• crop
• grain
• nut
• produce
• product