hickory

noun

hick·​o·​ry ˈhi-k(ə-)rē 

plural hickories

1

a

: any of a genus (Carya) of North American hardwood trees of the walnut family that often have sweet edible nuts

b

: the usually tough wood of a hickory

2

: a switch or cane (as of hickory wood) used especially for punishing a child

hickory adjective

Examples of hickory in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Hemlock dominates the slopes of the Twenty Mile Creek valley, accompanied by hickories, red oak, black walnut, black maple, dogwood, red elder and mountain maple. —Gary Stoller, Forbes, 31 Dec. 2024

But a third of the survey’s dugouts have turned out to be hardwoods, including oak, hickory and elm; the latter is known for its tough, interlocking grain—and its modern reputation for requiring the use of power tools. —Jacqueline Kehoe, Smithsonian Magazine, 26 Dec. 2024

And the skin, dry rubbed in spices and hickory smoked for three hours, really shines. —Justin L. MacK, Axios, 9 Dec. 2024

The lush collard greens start with turkey tails, house-smoked over post oak and hickory for added flavor. —Louisa Kung Liu Chu, Chicago Tribune, 25 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

short for obsolete pokahickory, from Virginia Algonquian pawcohiccora food prepared from pounded nuts

First Known Use

1670, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing hickory

• shagbark hickory

Kids Definition

hickory

noun

hick·​o·​ry ˈhik-(ə-)rē 

plural hickories

1

: any of a genus of North American trees related to the walnut and having an edible nut with a hard shell

2

: the usually tough pale wood of a hickory

Geographical Definition

Hickory

geographical name

Hick·​o·​ry ˈhi-kə-rē 

city in west central North Carolina population 40,010