often attributive
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
3
a
: a raisin when used in desserts
b
4
: something superior or very desirable
especially : something desirable given in return for a favor
5
: a dark reddish purple
plumlike adjective

Examples of plum in a Sentence

a bowl of peaches and plums Dried plums are also called “prunes.” That deal is a real plum for the contractor.
Recent Examples on the Web
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The gorgeous plum shade adds a pop of color to your space, and the glass lid protects the candle from dust. Kaitlin Gates, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Jan. 2025 Stags’ Leap Winery 2018 Petite Sirah is garnet to purple colored in the glass with aromas of cinnamon, black pepper, and black currant with flavors of black plum, blueberry, and vanilla. Mike Desimone and Jeff Jenssen, Robb Report, 23 Jan. 2025 For Zegna’s fall 2025 collection, artistic director Alessandro Sartori sent forth a sensational collection full of seasonal colors such as plum, moss green, mocha, tan and gray. Luisa Zargani, WWD, 21 Jan. 2025 The wine features red cherry, plum, and hints of vanilla, with a balanced, elegant finish. Joseph V Micallef, Forbes, 15 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for plum 

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of plum was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near plum

Cite this Entry

“Plum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/plum. Accessed 2 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

plum

noun
1
a
: any of numerous trees and shrubs related to the peach and cherries and having globe-shaped to oval edible fruits with an oblong stone
b
: the smooth-skinned fruit of a plum
2
: a raisin when used in desserts (as puddings or cake)
3
: something very desirable
4
: a dark reddish purple
plumlike adjective

Geographical Definition

Plum

geographical name

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

More from Merriam-Webster on plum

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