1 plum | Definition of plum

plum

noun, often attributive
\ ˈpləm How to pronounce plum (audio) \

Definition of plum

 (Entry 1 of 2)

1 : any of various trees and shrubs (genus Prunus) of the rose family with globular to oval smooth-skinned edible fruits that are drupes with oblong seeds also : the fruit
2 : any of various trees with edible fruits resembling plums also : the fruit
3a : a raisin when used in desserts
b : sugarplum
4 : something superior or very desirable especially : something desirable given in return for a favor
5 : a dark reddish purple

Plum

geographical name
\ ˈpləm How to pronounce Plum (audio) \

Definition of Plum (Entry 2 of 2)

borough in southwestern Pennsylvania that is a suburb of Pittsburgh population 27,126

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Other Words from plum

Noun

plumlike \ ˈpləm-​ˌlīk How to pronounce plumlike (audio) \ adjective

Synonyms for plum

Synonyms: Noun

catch, gem, jewel, pearl, prize, treasure

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Examples of plum in a Sentence

Noun

a bowl of peaches and plums Dried plums are also called “prunes.” That deal is a real plum for the contractor.
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Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

To pack even more nutrition, make a trail mix with plain roasted almonds, and add dried, unsweetened fruit, like raisins or plums. Samantha Cassetty, NBC News, "Back to school: 9 lower-sugar snacks and treats for kids you can feel good about," 21 Aug. 2019 Cocoa, star anise, and plum make this bold red the quintessential entree wine, complementing the richness of beef, the fattiness of butter, and the zest of lemon-laden veggies. Sara Mae Albert, Harper's BAZAAR, "How to Plan a Casual Chic Dinner Party," 2 Aug. 2019 Overlap sliced strawberries or plums for scales and use sliced fruit to outline heads and make mouths. Woman's Day Kitchen, Woman's Day, "No-Bake Summer Fruit Tart," 18 July 2019 Come winter, pages of glistening peaches and plums will transport readers to sunny months, when the best thing about a long balmy walk might be the cold treat that follows. Carmen Rosy Hall, Vogue, "This Summer’s Prettiest Cookbook Comes From Cult Ice Cream-Maker La Grotta," 18 July 2019 It is packed to the ceiling with bananas and plums — the weatherman calling for flies. courant.com, "CT Poets’ Corner: The prose poetry of Charles Rafferty reflects life’s tiny moments," 18 July 2019 Over here, mounds of perfectly ripe white peaches and plump plums. Allen Pierleoni, The Mercury News, "A weekend of beachy fun in Capitola-by-the-Sea," 16 June 2019 Part of the solution, as Williams and Multhaup argue, involves managers taking care to distribute plum assignments and unglamorous assignments equitably among employees. Sarah Todd, Quartz at Work, "Finally, a performance review designed to weed out “brilliant jerks”," 22 July 2019 For example, Justice Ginsburg assigned the majority opinion in a giant antitrust case against Apple to Justice Kavanaugh, a plum assignment for a new member of the court. New York Times, "A Supreme Court Term Marked by Shifting Alliances and Surprise Votes," 29 June 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'plum.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of plum

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for plum

Noun

Middle English, from Old English plūme, modification of Latin prunum plum, from Greek proumnon

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More Definitions for plum

plum

noun

English Language Learners Definition of plum

: a round, juicy fruit that has red or purple skin, sweet yellow flesh, and a hard seed at the center
somewhat informal : something that many people want or think is very good
: a dark reddish-purple color

plum

noun
\ ˈpləm How to pronounce plum (audio) \

Kids Definition of plum

1 : a fruit related to the peach and cherry that usually has smooth purple or reddish skin, sweet juicy flesh, and a stony pit
2 : a dark reddish purple
3 : a choice or desirable thing : prize

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More from Merriam-Webster on plum

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with plum

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for plum

Spanish Central: Translation of plum

Nglish: Translation of plum for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of plum for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about plum