butternut

[ buht-er-nuht ]

noun

1. Also called white walnut. the edible oily nut of an American tree, Juglans cinerea, of the walnut family.
2. the tree itself.
3. the light-brown wood of this tree, used for making furniture.
4. the light-brown color resulting from a dye made from this tree.
5. U.S. History. a Confederate soldier or partisan, especially one whose uniform was dyed with an extract from this tree.
6. souari nut.

butternut

/ ˈbʌtəˌnʌt /

noun

1. a walnut tree, Juglans cinerea of E North America Compare black walnut
2. the oily edible egg-shaped nut of this tree
3. the hard brownish-grey wood of this tree
4. the bark of this tree or an extract from it, formerly used as a laxative
5. a brownish colour or dye
6. short for butternut pumpkin

Word History and Origins

Origin of butternut¹

An Americanism dating back to 1735–45; so called from the nut's oiliness

Example Sentences

“I’m pretty sure I saw acorn there, if not butternut.”

From Literature

In fact, the taste was described as “almost sweet,” akin to a butternut squash mac and cheese and not the Kraft Original.

From Salon

She leans on what she knows and plays up those flavors: the koji-marinated tomato in the oyster dish, the acid from the oranges in the butternut squash carpaccio.

From Seattle Times

On Christmas Day, you can choose between a special four-course holiday menu with options including hazelnut stuffed pork loin, prime rib and butternut squash ravioli, or an a la carte holiday menu.

From Seattle Times

A blustery fall wind whipped through the rows of radicchio, across the butternut vines and edged the dance floor.

From Seattle Times