Definition

Noun 1. A tropical fruit: A brown, oval fruit with sweet, edible flesh, often used to make desserts like sherbet. 2. A tropical tree: A tree (Pouteria sapota) native to tropical America, valued for its wood (similar to mahogany) and for producing the sapote fruit.

Examples

• The sapote has a unique, creamy texture that is perfect for smoothies.
• They planted a sapote in their garden, hoping to harvest its fruit in a few years.
• The flesh of the ripe sapote is often a vibrant orange or salmon color.

Advanced Usage

• The term "sapote" can sometimes cause confusion, as it is used for several unrelated tropical fruits with soft, sweet flesh. The most common commercial type is the mamey sapote ().
• In botanical classifications, the tree has been placed in different genera, including .

Variants and Related Words

• Mamey sapote: The most common name for the fruit of , distinguishing it from other "sapote" fruits like the black sapote or white sapote.
• Sapodilla: () A different but related tropical fruit tree, also known for its sweet fruit and as the source of chicle for chewing gum.

Synonyms

• Mamey: A common synonym, especially in regions where the fruit is cultivated.
• Marmalade plum: Another name sometimes used for this fruit, referring to the color and consistency of its flesh.

Notes on Meaning

The word "sapote" primarily refers to the specific fruit and tree described. Its use for other fruits (e.g., black sapote, white sapote) is based on a loose similarity in fruit type rather than close botanical relation. The context usually makes the intended meaning clear.

Noun

1. brown oval fruit flesh makes excellent sherbet
2. tropical American tree having wood like mahogany and sweet edible egg-shaped fruit; in some classifications placed in the genus Calocarpum