buckeye

[ buhk-ahy ]

noun

, plural buck·eyes.

1. any of various trees or shrubs of the genus Aesculus, as A. glabra Ohio buckeye, having palmate leaves, gray, scaly bark, and bell-shaped greenish-yellow flowers in upright clusters: the state tree of Ohio.
2. the brown nut of any of these trees.
3. (initial capital letter) a native or inhabitant of Ohio (used as a nickname).
4. a butterfly, Precis lavinia, having dark-brown wings with purple or red eyespots.

buckeye

/ ˈbʌkˌaɪ /

noun

1. any of several North American trees of the genus Aesculus , esp A. glabra (Ohio buckeye), having erect clusters of white or red flowers and prickly fruits: family Hippocastanaceae See also horse chestnut

Word History and Origins

Origin of buckeye¹

An Americanism first recorded in 1755–65; buck ¹ “stag” + eye, originally used to designate buckeye def 1, in reference to the look of the seed

Example Sentences

Boroditsky, a certified arborist, said the site still has lots of native trees, like buckeyes, walnut and oaks, that may have been trimmed to conform to clearance rules but that were not removed.

From Los Angeles Times

Sure, there was a California buckeye I adored at Descanso Gardens, but any place you had to pay to see a tree was out.

From Los Angeles Times

Thunderstorms are as common as buckeye milkshakes, yet this week has a forecast of hot, dry weather through Sunday.

From Washington Times

She read him facts about Ohio, including that seven U.S. presidents who were born in the state, before she came across a word she didn’t know: “buckeye.”

From Washington Post

“Look at that caterpillar,” Andrew J. Brand said one afternoon as we passed a hummocky old bottlebrush buckeye shrub in my garden.

From Seattle Times