pistachio

American  

[pi-stash-ee-oh, -stah-shee-oh] / pɪˈstæʃ iˌoʊ, -ˈstɑ ʃiˌoʊ /

Also pistache

noun

pistachios plural

1. the nut of a Eurasian tree, Pistacia vera, of the cashew family, containing an edible, greenish kernel.

2. the kernel itself, used for flavoring.

3. the tree itself.

4. pistachio nut flavor.

5. pistachio green.

---

pistachio British  

/ pɪˈstɑːʃɪˌəʊ /

noun

1. an anacardiaceous tree, Pistacia vera, of the Mediterranean region and W Asia, with small hard-shelled nuts

2. Also called: pistachio nut.  the nut of this tree, having an edible green kernel

3. the sweet flavour of the pistachio nut, used esp in ice creams

---

adjective

1. of a yellowish-green colour

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• pistachios
  plural

Etymology

Origin of pistachio

1375–1425; < Italian pistacchio < Latin pistācium < Greek pistákion pistachio nut, diminutive of pistákē pistachio tree < Middle Persian *pistak ( Persian pista ); replacing late Middle English pistace < Middle French < Latin, as above

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

pistachio pistachios

Year over year, growers are choosing to plant new pistachio trees, likely eating into almond orchards’ domination of California’s central valley, Vasquez told Salon.

From Salon ● May 6, 2026

Though the pistachio filling and flavor craze has just taken off in the past few years, “viral” food trends like these are really decades in the making.

From Salon ● May 6, 2026

By targeting Iran instead of all pistachio exporting countries, it shows the policy was mainly punitive, rather than intentionally protectionist.

From Salon ● May 6, 2026

The loss of these countries is the United States’ gain, as demand for pistachio continues and California remains the only consistent grower for the foreseeable future.

From Salon ● May 6, 2026

One scoop of Earl Grey mixed with chunks of halwa, a few pistachio pieces, with a sprinkle of coconut and chocolate flakes on top.

From "A Place at the Table" by Saadia Faruqi and Laura Shovan

A onetime California oil boomtown about 60 miles southwest of Fresno, Avenal has spent decades off the beaten track, known more for its pistachios and sprawling state prison than for political upheaval.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 15, 2026

In 2021, the Chinese city of Ningbo successfully traded $2 million worth of Chinese car parts for Iranian pistachios, bypassing the Swift network, according to Chinese media.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 24, 2026

Despite arable land making up just three percent of the territory, it is one of Argentina's main producers of olive oil, grapes, tomatoes and pistachios.

From Barron's ● Jun. 15, 2026

Much of the water released from the dam goes to irrigate crops including almonds, pistachios, oranges, grapes and tomatoes.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 21, 2026

We sat eating pistachios and breathing salt air.

From "We Were Liars" by E. Lockhart