Brazil nut

American  

noun

1. the three-sided, hard-shelled edible seed of the tree Bertholletia excelsa and related species, of South America.

---

brazil nut British  

noun

1. a tropical South American tree, Bertholletia excelsa , producing large globular capsules, each containing several closely packed triangular nuts: family Lecythidaceae

2. the nut of this tree, having an edible oily kernel and a woody shell

---

Etymology

Origin of Brazil nut

First recorded in 1820–30

Example Sentences

TJ’s Brazil Nut Body Butter contains an array of impressive ingredients, including coconut oil, shea butter, açai extract, guarana extract and Brazil nut seed oil.

From Salon • Jan. 25, 2024

The authors also found a significant relationship between 35 domesticated tree species—including Brazil nut, Pará rubber tree, murumuru, and cacao—and the probability of earthworks.

From Science Magazine • Oct. 4, 2023

“They threaten food security. Our relatives have nowhere to fish, the Brazil nut trees were cut down. Today, they have nowhere to draw their survival from.”

From Seattle Times • Aug. 7, 2023

Mr. Sena had stumbled into the campsite of Brazil nut collectors.

From New York Times • Mar. 28, 2021

“He’s an awesome soccer player and he has a severe Brazil nut allergy. Do you have any Brazil nuts in your lunch? Because they could literally kill him.”

From "The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl" by Stacy McAnulty