black walnut

American  

noun

1. a tree, Juglans nigra, of North America, having pinnate leaves and dark-brown bark and bearing an edible nut covered by a thick green or brown husk.

2. the nut of this tree.

3. the wood of this tree, valued in furniture-making.

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black walnut British  

noun

1. a North American walnut tree, Juglans nigra , with hard dark wood and edible oily nuts

2. the valuable wood of this tree, used for cabinet work

3. the nut of this tree

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Etymology

Origin of black walnut

An Americanism dating back to 1605–15

Compare meaning

How does black-walnut compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• English walnut vs. black walnut

Example Sentences

Kurt’s cleanse contained black walnut, cloves and wormwood, along with a handful of other herbs.

From Salon • May 18, 2025

But a day or two later, we learned that it is rather difficult — and also, illegal — to cut down a very old, still-alive sycamore, oak, California bay, or black walnut in Los Angeles.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 29, 2024

They have a taste for certain species, namely tree of heaven—also an invasive species from Asia—as well as native species, such as black walnut, several species of maple, hops, and grapevines.

From National Geographic • Aug. 31, 2023

A: Your maple is probably fine planted where a black walnut was.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 16, 2022

His back was against a gigantic oak tree next to the black walnut, now just two large skips from Listening Rock—we could almost touch it.

From Each Little Bird That Sings by Deborah Wiles