pecan

noun

pe·​can pi-ˈkän  -ˈkan  ˈpē-ˌkan 

1

: a large hickory (Carya illinoinensis synonym C. oliviformis) that has roughish bark and hard but brittle wood and is widely grown in the warmer parts of the U.S. and in Mexico for its edible nut

2

: the wood of the pecan tree

The hardwood floor was made of pecan.

3

: the smooth oblong thin-shelled nut of the pecan tree

bought some pecans to make a pie

Examples of pecan in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Get The Recipe 08 of 25 Margaret Bragg's Buttermilk Pie Can't choose between pumpkin, apple, and pecan? —Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 5 Nov. 2024

Or, try these oat and pecan brittle cookies, a Hormati fave that not only incorporates whole oats into the dough, but also oat flour. —Caroline Tien, SELF, 1 Nov. 2024

There’s a pecan tart for dessert, topped with Fontainebleau cream for a French touch. —Matt Ortile, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 Oct. 2024

It's brewed with real maple syrup and pecans to give it sweet yet nutty notes to complement the chocolate, vanilla and oak notes. —Brian Manzullo, Detroit Free Press, 16 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

American French pacane, from Illinois pakani

First Known Use

1761, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

pecan

noun

pe·​can pi-ˈkän  -ˈkan 

: an oblong edible nut that usually has a thin shell and is the fruit of a tall tree of the central and southern U.S.

also : this tree which is one of the hickories