nutcracker

American  

[nuht-krak-er] / ˈnʌtˌkræk ər /

noun

• nutcrackers
  plural

1. an instrument or device for cracking the shells of nuts.

2. 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.

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nutcracker British  

/ ˈnʌtˌkrækə /

noun

1. (often plural) a device for cracking the shells of nuts

2. 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)

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• nutcrackers
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of nutcracker

First recorded in 1540–50; nut + cracker

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

nutcracker nutcrackers

The countless repetitions give you the most beautiful art form where swans glide, fairies dance and every year a giant nutcracker appears.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 31, 2026

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

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

And the teeth on that soldier-shaped nutcracker were terrifying.

From "Secrets at Sea" by Richard Peck

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

Other birds that flock to burned forests include white-headed woodpeckers, Lewis's woodpeckers, three-toed woodpeckers, olivesided flycatchers, Clark's nutcrackers and mountain bluebirds.

From Salon ● Dec. 25, 2022

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

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