cashew

American  

[kash-oo, kuh-shoo] / ˈkæʃ u, kəˈʃu /

noun

• cashews
  plural

1. a tree, Anacardium occidentale, native to tropical America, having milky juice, simple, leathery leaves, and yellowish-pink flowers in open clusters.

2. Also called cashew nut.  the small, kidney-shaped, edible nut of this tree.

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cashew British  

/ kæˈʃuː, ˈkæʃuː /

noun

1. a tropical American anacardiaceous evergreen tree, Anacardium occidentale, bearing kidney-shaped nuts that protrude from a fleshy receptacle

2. Also called: cashew nut.  the edible nut of this tree

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Usage

What does cashew mean? A cashew is an evergreen tree native to the tropical areas of the Americas, as in I took a nap under the shady cashew. The kidney-shaped seed found in the fruit of this tree is also called a cashew, or a cashew nut, as in Chang makes a tasty stir-fry using chicken and cashews. Because most people aren’t botanists or tropical tree growers, you’ll see cashew usually used to mean the seeds rather than the tree. If both items are being discussed, you’ll see references to “cashew trees” and “cashew nuts.”Although they are often referred to as nuts, cashews are actually the seeds found inside of the cashew apples that grow on cashew trees. Example: Roland ate so many cashews as a snack that he didn’t want supper. 

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• cashews
  plural

Etymology

Origin of cashew

1695–1705; < Portuguese cajú, aphetic variant of acajú < Tupi akaʾiu

Explanation

A cashew is a bushy tree that grows cashew nuts. Roasted, salted cashews make a great snack. While cashews are always categorized with other nuts, they are officially a seed, the size and shape of a kidney bean. Cashew trees are native to Brazil, but they were long ago introduced to India, and cashews are a common ingredient in many South Asian dishes. Cashew is a shortened form of the French acajou, from the Tupi name for the cashew tree, acajuba.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

cashew cashews

And the industry in general seems reluctant to adopt such “artisanal pizzeria” innovations as lavender-flavored pizza, honey-drenched pizza or vegan pizza made with cashew ricotta.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 9, 2026

It is the world's leading producer of cacao, the raw material for cocoa; also produces cashew nuts, and has a thriving oil industry.

From Barron's ● Oct. 25, 2025

Ghana is the world's third-biggest exporter of unprocessed cashew nuts, behind Ivory Coast in first place, and Cambodia in second.

From BBC ● Feb. 4, 2025

There’s Anna Tobias’ cucumber and cashew nut curry, in which chunks of fresh cucumbers are paired with cashew nuts and a spiced coconut milk base.

From Salon ● Aug. 25, 2024

There was no pretense at hedges here, no pretense at separation or privacy, just low buildings side by side amid a scattering of stunted shrubs and cashew trees.

From "Purple Hibiscus" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

At one of the proposed sites, farmers like Pyla Kondamma who have grown mangoes and cashews for 50 years are being forced out by the local government to make room.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 28, 2026

TJ’s Dark Chocolate Covered Cashews touts roasted cashews covered in a thin, caramel-like coating and a layer of rich dark chocolate.

From Salon ● Jul. 30, 2025

The dark chocolate-covered cashews can also be crushed up and included in homemade cookies or topped on freshly-baked fudgy brownies.

From Salon ● Jul. 30, 2025

It would make sense for Costco to show its members exactly why the company that sources half the world’s cashews can no longer sell a giant jar for a pittance.

From Slate ● May 2, 2025

My father opened up the can on the counter and eyed me sharply over the frames of his glasses as he ate some more cashews.

From "Interpreter of Maladies" by Jhumpa Lahiri