nutcracker

[ nuht-krak-er ]

noun

1. an instrument or device for cracking the shells of nuts. nut.
2. any of several corvine birds of the genus Nucifraga that feed on nuts, nut, as the common nutcracker, N. caryocatactes, of Europe and Clark's nutcracker, N. columbiana, of the western U.S.

nutcracker

/ ˈnʌtˌkrækə /

noun

1. often plural a device for cracking the shells of nuts
2. either of two birds, Nucifraga caryocatactes of the Old World or N. columbianus ( Clark's nutcracker ) of North America, having speckled plumage and feeding on nuts, seeds, etc: family Corvidae (crows)

Word History and Origins

Origin of nutcracker¹

First recorded in 1540–50; nut + cracker

Example Sentences

A nutcracker in the shape of a foreign soldier.

From Literature

Even the alleys looked inviting, with adult-sized nutcrackers casually loitering there instead of the usual muggers.

From Salon

From stolen nutcrackers to deflated snowmen, members of Congress have been known to get competitive.

From Seattle Times

After Mr. Watters mocked the nutcracker on his show, Ms. Behar held up a nutcracker and said that “he can put his nut in there and squeeze it.”

From Washington Times

Featuring puppet collections from around the world, exhibitions have included nutcrackers and holiday figures and examples of nang talung, a style of shadow puppets from Southern Thailand.

From Seattle Times