pecan

noun

pe·​can pi-ˈkän  -ˈkan  ˈpē-ˌkan 

1

: a large hickory (Carya illinoinensis synonym C. illinoensis) 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

According to the brand, the result is a bourbon with brown sugar and fig on the nose; mint, brown sugar, fennel, and candied pecans on the palate; and warm rye spice and cinnamon on the finish. —Jonah Flicker, Robb Report, 26 June 2024

Nuts: Top the cake with toasted pecans, walnuts, pistachios, or almonds for a nutty crunch. —Anna Theoktisto, Southern Living, 29 May 2024

At the restaurant, her Virgin Ice Cream Bar offers a handful of ice cream flavors (including vanilla bean and butter pecan), treats like milkshakes and floats and the shop's signature sorbet made with strawberries and Faygo Redpop. —Gina Kaufman, Detroit Free Press, 26 May 2024

The family now has it mostly in white corn and soybeans, and has been diversifying into hazelnuts, cherries and pecans. —Lydia Depillis, New York Times, 30 May 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