grapefruit

/ˌgreɪpˈfrut/

/ˈgreɪpfrut/

Other forms: grapefruits

A grapefruit is a large citrus fruit that grows on a tree. Ripe grapefruits are very slightly sour, juicy, and delicious.

The first grapefruits were an accident — they came from an inadvertent cross between an orange and a pomelo. Both of those species are native to Asia, but the grapefruit's accidental invention happened in Barbados some time in the 18th century. The name comes from the way the fruit clusters on the tree, close together like grapes, rather than its taste, which is a mixture of sweetness and acidity.

Definitions of grapefruit

1. noun

   citrus tree bearing large round edible fruit having a thick yellow rind and juicy somewhat acid pulp
   synonyms: Citrus paradisi

   type of:

   citrus, citrus tree

   any of numerous tropical usually thorny evergreen trees of the genus Citrus having leathery evergreen leaves and widely cultivated for their juicy edible fruits having leathery aromatic rinds
2. noun

   large yellow fruit with somewhat acid juicy pulp; usual serving consists of a half
   type of:

   citrous fruit, citrus, citrus fruit

   any of numerous fruits of the genus Citrus having thick rind and juicy pulp; grown in warm regions