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 are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Picture warm almond and rice paper with quince, pink pepper, and labdanum. — Reece Andavolgyi, InStyle, 4 Feb. 2026 Good sun exposure makes flowering quince produce more blooms from late winter to spring. — Steve Bender, Southern Living, 27 May 2026 Notes of bright grapefruit and quince bring a fresh, fruit-forward sparkle, while sheer jasmine softens the blend, leaving a light, elegant trail on the skin. — Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 9 Feb. 2026 Mornings brought a generous buffet of regional cheeses, handmade sour-cherry and quince jams, and flaky börek pastries. — Anya Von Bremzen, Travel + Leisure, 31 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for quince

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

Rhymes for quince

See All Rhymes for quince

Browse Nearby Words

Quinault
quince
quinceañera
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Quince.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/quince. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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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.com: Encyclopedia article about quince

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