betel nut

noun

: the astringent seed of the betel palm

Examples of betel nut in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Bhutan’s main exports include fruit, betel nut, and boulders for construction. By Charlie Campbell/gelephu, Bhutan, TIME, 16 Jan. 2025 Rusty splatters of betel nut appeared on sidewalks near gas stations. Akhil Sharma, The New Yorker, 18 Aug. 2024 Shops were open, selling coffee, ice cream and betel nuts. Siyi Zhao Lam Yik Fei, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2024 His teeth as always are stained with betel nut. Rafil Kroll-Zaidi, Harper’s Magazine , 4 Jan. 2022 Consumed by more than 600 million people, mainly in southern Asia, areca nut—more popularly, betel nut—is a stimulant. Ananya Bhattacharya, Quartz, 18 Jan. 2022 This saddens but does not surprise Larry Raigetal, a master navigator who is chewing betel nut beneath a canopy of stars. Julian Aguon, The Atlantic, 1 Nov. 2021 Pineapple shrimp balls, a betel nut pineapple salad and classics like fried rice with pineapple are just some of the dishes being pushed out by restaurants and hotels on the island. Huizhong Wu, chicagotribune.com, 10 Mar. 2021 Apart from betel vineyards, this lush fertile land has provided us with cashew, coconut, drumstick, mango, jackfruit, betel nut, pineapple, guava, many other varieties of fruits, roots, and vegetables. Mayank Aggarwal, Quartz India, 4 Mar. 2020

Word History

Etymology

from its being chewed with betel leaves

First Known Use

1673, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of betel nut was in 1673

Dictionary Entries Near betel nut

Cite this Entry

“Betel nut.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/betel%20nut. Accessed 29 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

betel nut

noun
: the seed of an Asian palm

Medical Definition

betel nut

noun
: the astringent seed of the betel palm that is a source of arecoline

More from Merriam-Webster on betel nut

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!