quince

noun

ˈkwin(t)s How to pronounce quince (audio)
1
: the fruit of a central Asian tree (Cydonia oblonga) of the rose family that resembles a hard-fleshed yellow apple and is used especially in preserves
2
: a tree that bears quinces compare Japanese quince

Illustration of quince

Illustration of quince
  • quince 1

Examples of quince in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Examples of additional species to try forcing include flowering cherry (Yoshino and friends), apple and crabapple, magnolia, quince (flowering shrubs, not the fruit tree, though that may also work), forsythia, witchhazel, certain viburnums, and redbud. — Miri Talabac, Baltimore Sun, 22 Feb. 2024 Good sun exposure makes flowering quince produce more blooms from late winter to spring. — Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 4 Apr. 2024 And on May 20, eight newest quince queens with their partners — all in formal wear — gracefully danced the traditional waltz that highlights the event. — Lola Sherman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 June 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'quince.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English quynce quinces, plural of coyn, quyn quince, from Anglo-French coign, from Latin cotoneum, alteration cydonium, from Greek kydōnion

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of quince was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing quince

Dictionary Entries Near quince

Quinault

quince

quinceañera

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Quince.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/quince. Accessed 27 Jun. 2024.

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Kids Definition

quince

noun
ˈkwin(t)s How to pronounce quince (audio)
: the fruit of an Asian tree that resembles a yellow apple with hard flesh and is used especially for marmalade, jelly, and preserves
also : a tree that bears quinces

Medical Definition

quince

noun
ˈkwin(t)s How to pronounce quince (audio)
: the fruit of a central Asian tree of the genus Cydonia (C. oblonga) that resembles a hard-fleshed yellow apple
also : the tree

More from Merriam-Webster on quince

Nglish: Translation of quince for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of quince for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about quince

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