butternut

noun

but·​ter·​nut ˈbə-tər-ˌnət 

plural butternuts

1

: an eastern North American tree (Juglans cinerea) of the walnut family with sweet egg-shaped nuts and light brown wood

called also white walnut

2

a

: a light yellowish brown

b

butternuts plural : homespun overalls dyed brown with a butternut extract

c

: a soldier or partisan of the Confederate States of America during the American Civil War

Examples of butternut in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The vehicle, which was filled with steak and ale pies as well as a turkey and butternut variety, was supposed to head to a Christmas market in York. —Andrea Margolis, Fox News, 4 Dec. 2024

This includes uncut winter squash of all kinds; from butternut and honeynut to pumpkin and delicata. —Karla Walsh, Southern Living, 22 Nov. 2024

The dinner-only bar has a signature dish, red snapper, though the butternut fish and grouper in garlic sauce are superb. —Mariette Williams, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 Nov. 2024

Shore explains that thin-skinned squash like delicata or butternut have the most edible skins. —Stacey Lastoe, Southern Living, 13 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1670, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing butternut

• butternut squash

Kids Definition

butternut

noun

but·​ter·​nut -ˌnət 

: the edible oily nut of a North American tree related to the walnut

also : this tree