honey locust

noun

: a tall usually spiny North American leguminous tree (Gleditsia triacanthos) with very hard wood and long twisted pods containing a sweet edible pulp and seeds that resemble beans

Examples of honey locust 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.
The evolution of prickles Contrary to pop culture references, roses do not have thorns, which are the sharp woody points of certain shrubs and trees, including honey locusts and citrus trees. Taylor Nicioli, CNN, 1 Aug. 2024 Southern Austria was in full flower during my trip: lilac and elder in the forested Styrian hills, honey locust and wild rose on the plains of Burgenland, a perfumed landscape that rushed in through my open car window. Kevin West, Travel + Leisure, 24 July 2024 Suckers arising from trees such as apples, crabapples, honey locust, lindens and others, however, should be removed. Dawn Pettinelli, Hartford Courant, 29 June 2024 Ewen noted that a redesign could help the trees, primarily honey locusts, along the roads. Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 13 Feb. 2024 But remember that sumac and honey locust are just two such foods. Scott Bestul, Field & Stream, 4 Jan. 2024 Two dozen honey locust trees were planted. Tom Daykin, Journal Sentinel, 14 Nov. 2022 Plus, there's sesame oil for deeper moisture, honey locust sugars to tighten, and viniferine (an extract from the grapevine) to help diminish dark spots. Angela Trakoshis, Allure, 24 Feb. 2023 Legumes of the honey locust family also become very abundant, which would have had consequences for the nitrogen content of the air. Joshua Rapp Learn, Discover Magazine, 3 June 2021

Word History

First Known Use

1709, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of honey locust was in 1709

Dictionary Entries Near honey locust

Cite this Entry

“Honey locust.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/honey%20locust. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on honey locust

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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