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.

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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

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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

She said it’s unfair that her family is charged the same pumping fees as the owners of giant almond and pistachio orchards.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 31, 2026

Aquifer levels have continued to drop as corporate farms and investors have planted vast almond and pistachio orchards.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 31, 2026

David Sanchez, a 48-year-old painter and decorator, had just returned home to Cebreros after evacuating at the weekend to find that his small olive and pistachio grove had been consumed by the inferno.

From Barron's ● Jul. 27, 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

Some are packed with white cheese or walnuts or pistachio nuts.

From "Habibi" by Naomi Shihab Nye

I’ve topped bowls with butter-soaked, cardamom-dusted sourdough croutons, a simple scattering of pistachios, granola and even dried coconut flakes, and each has worked beautifully.

From Salon ● Jul. 21, 2026

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

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

The pistachios exploded in my mouth with sweet, meaty flavor reminding me of how hungry I was.

From "The Night Diary" by Veera Hiranandani