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

Deport those workers, and crops from pistachios to peaches, rice and apricots could rot on the trees or vines. —Thomas Elias, The Mercury News, 14 Feb. 2025

His contemporary creations celebrate the essence of Asturian cuisine, with standout dishes like tuna tartare with pistachio and caviar, grilled squid noodles with ham consommé, and Cantabrian sea bream in a mussel and fennel beurre blanc. —Jenn Rice, Vogue, 12 Feb. 2025

The kunafa was topped with pistachios and sugar syrup, adding just the right amount of sweetness. —Shafaq Patel, Axios, 31 Jan. 2025

Yogurt cake with pistachios and pomegranates, and rosewater-and-cardamom ice cream. —Anna Russell, The New Yorker, 17 Jan. 2025

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