honey locust

noun

1. a thorny North American tree, Gleditsia triacanthos, of the legume family, having small, compound leaves and pods with a sweet pulp.

honey locust

noun

1. a thorny leguminous tree, Gleditsia triacanthos of E North America, that has long pods containing a sweet-tasting pulp
2. another name for mesquite

Word History and Origins

Origin of honey locust¹

An Americanism dating back to 1735–45

Example Sentences

The south side gets diffused sun shade by honey locust trees.

From Seattle Times

A selection of trees, including honey locust, English oak and hornbeam, will now be planted along South Quay.

From BBC

London planetrees predominate, as do honey locusts, pin oaks, Norway maples and Callery pears, the latter known for their clusters of white flowers.

From New York Times

They added benches and honey locust trees, which are thin and transparent, and carved a diagonal path between Broadway and the World Trade Center through the heart of the park.

From New York Times

In summer, neighborhoods flutter with honey locust, silver linden, sugar maple, red oak, white ash and pignut hickory, all ready to ignite in fall with incendiary color.

From Los Angeles Times