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
Cake fillings of almond crunch and toasted pecan praline and candied lemon, while jackfruit and palm sugar bring distinct South-East Asian flavours.
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
The company calls Thanksgiving its Super Bowl, when its cooks crank out to-go meals of ham, turkey and pecan pie.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 9, 2025
A powerful pecan essence wafted into my face, not at all unpleasant, considering how sick I was of pecans.
From "The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate" by Jacqueline Kelly
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
The review, "Pecans and Human Health: Distinctive Benefits of an American Nut," published in Nutrients, evaluated more than 20 years of research on pecans and health.
From Science Daily ● Feb. 22, 2026
Published in the peer reviewed journal Nutrients, the analysis brings together more than two decades of research on pecans.
From Science Daily ● Feb. 22, 2026
Neighbors drifting by will sometimes leave pecans or an apple.
From "Ninth Ward" by Jewell Parker Rhodes
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