pistachio

[ pi-stash-ee-oh, -stah-shee-oh ]

noun

, plural pis·tach·i·os.

1. the nut of a Eurasian tree, Pistacia vera, of the cashew family, containing an edible, greenish kernel.
2. the kernel itself, used for flavoring.
3. the tree itself.
4. pistachio nut flavor.
5. pistachio green.

pistachio

/ pɪˈstɑːʃɪˌəʊ /

noun

1. an anacardiaceous tree, Pistacia vera, of the Mediterranean region and W Asia, with small hard-shelled nuts
2. Also calledpistachio nut the nut of this tree, having an edible green kernel
3. the sweet flavour of the pistachio nut, used esp in ice creams

adjective

1. of a yellowish-green colour

Word History and Origins

Origin of pistachio¹

1375–1425; < Italian pistacchio < Latin pistācium < Greek pistákion pistachio nut, diminutive of pistákē pistachio tree < Middle Persian *pistak ( Persian pista ); replacing late Middle English pistace < Middle French < Latin, as above

Word History and Origins

Origin of pistachio¹

C16: via Italian and Latin from Greek pistakion pistachio nut, from pistakē pistachio tree, from Persian pistah

Example Sentences

“There has been an explosion over the last 10 or 15 years of plantings and those trees are coming online,” Zachary Fraser, president and chief executive of American Pistachio Growers, told the AP.

From Salon

As explained by the AP, pistachio orchards “can be sustained with minimal water during drought” and their trees “rely on wind instead of bees for pollination and can produce nuts for decades longer.”

From Salon

The nursery is famous for its grapevines and root stock of almond, walnut and pistachio, which are sold to farmers, commercial growers and retail nurseries.

From Los Angeles Times

Perhaps start with the Mortadella with Pistachio Pesto.

From Salon

At the request of almond and pistachio farmers, the California Department of Food and Agriculture has been working with the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service of the U.S.

From Los Angeles Times