pecan
Americannoun
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pecans
plural
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a tall hickory tree, Carya illinoinensis, of the southern U.S. and Mexico, cultivated for its oval, smooth-shelled, edible nuts: the state tree of Texas.
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a nut of this tree.
noun
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a hickory tree, Carya pecan (or C. illinoensis ), of the southern US, having deeply furrowed bark and edible nuts
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the smooth oval nut of this tree, which has a sweet oily kernel
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of pecan
1765–75, < Mississippi Valley French pacane < Illinois pakani < Proto-Algonquian *paka·n- nut (derivative of *pake·- crack nuts)
Explanation
A pecan is a tree that grows nuts also known as pecans. These hard-shelled nuts are similar to walnuts and used for sweet treats like praline candy and pecan pie. Pecan comes from an Algonquian word that means "nut that takes a stone to crack." It takes some work to break open a pecan, but it's well worth the effort. There are at least three "correct" ways to pronounce this word, so your best bet is to pick your favorite and stick with it. Pecan wood is used to make furniture and for smoking meats, and four U.S. states claim the pecan as their official state nut.
Vocabulary lists containing pecan
English Words Derived from Indigenous Languages of the Americas
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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:
The courses begin with three savory bites before transitioning into full-fledged desserts, including a deconstructed version of her signature multilayered mousse cake, with flavors of brown rice and pecan praline.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 19, 2026
She bought Mr. Griffin and his family cars and trucks and attempted the fraudulent purchase of a $20 million pecan farm with no money to speak of.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 12, 2026
Coffee pecan torte, spiced pear sponge with miso caramel.
From BBC ● Mar. 28, 2026
Researchers analyzed 52 peer reviewed studies published between 2000 and 2025, including human clinical trials examining the physiological effects of pecan consumption on cardiometabolic and other health related outcomes.
From Science Daily ● Feb. 22, 2026
And to finish me off, I sunk my teeth into two slices of pecan pie.
From "The Detective's Assistant" by Kate Hannigan
Carey can now eat seven walnuts or pecans without having an allergic reaction so treatment was "100% worth it", Scott said.
From BBC ● Apr. 23, 2026
A few handfuls of oats, pistachios or pecans, butter, maple syrup.
From Salon ● Mar. 17, 2026
Adding a handful of pecans to meals or snacks may be a simple and flavorful way to support cardiovascular health and improve overall diet quality.
From Science Daily ● Feb. 22, 2026
It also assessed the nutrient and bioactive profile of pecans, including unsaturated fats, fiber and polyphenols, and identified gaps that should be addressed in future research.
From Science Daily ● Feb. 22, 2026
Z dropped a handful of pecans into the bowl.
From "Ruby Holler" by Sharon Creech
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
