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.
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
“The Nutcracker” is a two-act ballet that follows a girl named Clara who receives a nutcracker doll for Christmas.
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 22, 2025
Even the famed nutcracker museum sat largely empty.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 21, 2025
Some of the merchandise isn’t new, according to the Advocate, which said that “Target has been selling the Progress Pride nutcracker for several years now.”
From Washington Times ● Nov. 21, 2023
He reminded me of the big wooden nutcracker Louisa puts out on her kitchen table at Christmastime.
From "When You Reach Me" by Rebecca Stead
Even the alleys looked inviting, with adult-sized nutcrackers casually loitering there instead of the usual muggers.
From Salon ● Dec. 23, 2023
Let’s say I’m a Trump-Biden voter with a love of nutcrackers and $250 to spend.
From Slate ● Jun. 10, 2023
Though the exact details vary depending on who you ask, it’s mostly agreed upon that nutcrackers were created uptown in the 1990s.
From New York Times ● May 28, 2022
Research has shown they have excellent memory and recover more cached seeds than other types of jays or nutcrackers, but the seeds that go uncollected are left to germinate.
From Seattle Times ● Apr. 26, 2022
Chickenhound paused to admire a handsome pair of brass nutcrackers.
From "Redwall" by Brian Jacques
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.
