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

All the plants they’d recently added were burnt to a crisp, and the native endangered Southern California black walnut trees lining the top of their hill were charred and seemingly lifeless.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 8, 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

Q: I am trying to find out if I can plant a big leaf maple tree where a black walnut tree was removed.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 16, 2022

Phineas sat behind the table in a heavily carved black walnut chair; the arms ended in two lions’ heads, and the legs ended in paws gripping wheels now sunk in the snow.

From "A Separate Peace" by John Knowles