nutcracker
Americannoun
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nutcrackers
plural
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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.
See Examples For:
Paranthropus has long been labeled the "nutcracker" genus, a nickname inspired by its massive jaws, thick tooth enamel, and oversized molars.
From Science Daily ● Jan. 23, 2026
Even the famed nutcracker museum sat largely empty.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 21, 2025
To mirror the real world, the Land of Sweets was not spared from an evil nutcracker tyrant.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 25, 2025
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s 1892 score follows the story of a young girl who falls into a fantastical dream after being gifted a nutcracker doll.
From Seattle Times ● Dec. 19, 2023
And the teeth on that soldier-shaped nutcracker were terrifying.
From "Secrets at Sea" by Richard Peck
Even the alleys looked inviting, with adult-sized nutcrackers casually loitering there instead of the usual muggers.
From Salon ● Dec. 23, 2023
If you are inspired by this unique artifact, you’ll be thrilled to learn that there are plenty more political nutcrackers out there.
From Slate ● Jun. 10, 2023
Don’t miss the always weirdly-wonderful Nutcracker Museum, packed with thousands of antique and contemporary nutcrackers from around the world.
From Seattle Times ● Dec. 14, 2022
In the forest, nutcrackers fluttered by, their wings seemingly dipped in ink pots.
From Washington Post ● Jun. 10, 2022
When you sat around with people, regular people with teacups and nutcrackers, they just wanted to get to know you.
From "Habibi" by Naomi Shihab Nye
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