nutcracker
Americannoun
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an instrument or device for cracking the shells of nuts.
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any of several corvine birds of the genus Nucifraga that feed on nuts, as the common nutcracker, N. caryocatactes, of Europe and Clark's nutcracker, N. columbiana, of the western U.S.
noun
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(often plural) a device for cracking the shells of nuts
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either of two birds, Nucifraga caryocatactes of the Old World or N. columbianus ( Clark's nutcracker ) of North America, having speckled plumage and feeding on nuts, seeds, etc: family Corvidae (crows)
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of nutcracker
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
She is expected to compete for the individual title at the Russian Jump Championships, as well a duo competition alongside Mark Kondratiuk, her partner in "The Nutcracker".
From Barron's • Jan. 30, 2026
Nutcracker Soldier dolls are a traditional German Christmas decoration dating back to the 17th Century.
From BBC • Nov. 26, 2025
The Nutcracker Bonbon Collection features chocolates inspired by the San Francisco Ballet's rendition of Tchaikovsky’s holiday ballet.
From Salon • Dec. 17, 2024
“A lot of versions of Nutcracker look the same, you see people who look the same in every production,” Crocker said.
From Seattle Times • Mar. 4, 2024
She takes me to a matinee of The Nutcracker, and then we eat scones and mini sandwiches at the teahouse downtown.
From "South of Somewhere" by Kalena Miller
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
