éclair

noun

ē-ˈkler  ā- 

e-,

ə-;

ˈē-ˌkler 

ˈā-,

ˈe-

: a usually chocolate-frosted oblong pastry filled with whipped cream or custard

Examples of éclair in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Menu highlights include holiday eclairs infused with rich vanilla cream and macarons made with peppermint, eggnog and gingerbread. —Taryn White, Forbes, 6 Dec. 2024

Think of eventual 2015 winner Nadiya Hussain’s use of bubblegum and cream-soda flavors to signal her playful personality after weeks of doing poorly on Technicals; instead of letting that anxiety overwhelm her, Nadiya reset her persona with those mischievous eclairs. —Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 1 Nov. 2024

Le Clare’s This French-style patisserie specializes in eclairs, which makes sense since the owners are named Maggie and Tyler Clare. —Jonathan Shikes, The Denver Post, 1 Nov. 2024

Pastries include classic eclair, cinnamon rolls, key lime cream puffs, and fruit tart. —Pamela McLoughlin, Hartford Courant, 6 Aug. 2024

The Santa Cruz bakery offers an impressive collection of baguettes and pastries, including croissants, fruit tarts, kouign amann, eclairs and creme puffs. —John Metcalfe, The Mercury News, 15 July 2024

The scholarly scones and erudite eclairs will be evaluated by an esteemed panel of judges: El Bagel owner Mattison Koche, Zak the Baker pastry chef Desiree Di Falco and The Infatuation Miami editor Ryan Pfeffer. —Amanda Rosa, Miami Herald, 1 July 2024

Desserts include cream puffs, eclairs, petit fours, tiramisu, a strawberry trifle martini, and apple or pecan pie. —Elaine Rewolinski, Journal Sentinel, 26 Apr. 2024

The same style of decorating is also used on Villa Bakery's eclairs. —Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press, 19 Jan. 2024

Word History

Etymology

French, literally, lightning

First Known Use

1861, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

éclair

noun

ā-ˈkla(ə)r  i- 

-ˈkle(ə)r;

ˈā-ˌkla(ə)r,

-ˌkle(ə)r,

ˈē-

: an oblong pastry with whipped cream or custard filling

Etymology

French, literally, "lightning"

Word Origin

The English word éclair comes directly from a French word whose chief meaning is "lightning" or "flash of lightning." No one is sure why a pastry was named after lightning. Some say the lightness of the cream puff and its soft filling is the reason for the name. Perhaps more likely its richness and oblong shape, easily held in one hand, compel a person to eat it in a flash.