pistachio

noun

pis·​ta·​chio pə-ˈsta-sh(ē-ˌ)ō  -ˈstä- 

plural pistachios

: a small Asian tree (Pistacia vera) of the cashew family whose drupaceous fruit contains a greenish edible seed

also : its seed

Examples of pistachio in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Save room for the delightful and surprising pistachio tiramisu dessert, made with orange blossom mascarpone and crunchy pastry bits sprinkled on top that reminded us of Fruity Pebbles cereal. —Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Jan. 2025

His pastas are outstanding, from a pistachio pesto to pata alla Norma with stracciatella, fresh tomato and fried eggplant. —John Mariani, Forbes, 9 Jan. 2025

California has not one but four official state nuts: the almond, the pecan, the pistachio, and the walnut. —Casey Cep, The New Yorker, 28 Dec. 2024

The color of the year is poised to be pistachio green; Prada and Gucci, among other labels, showed spring shoes in the minty shade. —Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 4 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Italian pistacchio, from Latin pistacium pistachio nut, from Greek pistakion, from pistakē pistachio tree, of Iranian origin; akin to Persian pistah pistachio tree

First Known Use

1598, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

pistachio

noun

pis·​ta·​chio pə-ˈstash-(ē-ˌ)ō  -ˈstäsh- 

plural pistachios

: a small Asian tree that is related to the sumacs and has a fruit containing a greenish edible seed

also : its seed