pecan

[ pi-kahn, -kan, pee-kan ]

noun

1. a tall hickory tree, Carya illinoinensis, of the southern U.S. and Mexico, cultivated for its oval, smooth-shelled, edible nuts: the state tree of Texas.
2. a nut of this tree.

pecan

/ pɪˈkæn; ˈpiːkən /

noun

1. a hickory tree, Carya pecan (or C. illinoensis ), of the southern US, having deeply furrowed bark and edible nuts
2. the smooth oval nut of this tree, which has a sweet oily kernel

Word History and Origins

Origin of pecan¹

1765–75, Americanism; < Mississippi Valley French pacane < Illinois pakani < Proto-Algonquian *paka·n- nut (derivative of *pake·- crack nuts)

Word History and Origins

Origin of pecan¹

C18: from Algonquian paccan; related to Ojibwa pagân nut with a hard shell, Cree pakan

Example Sentences

From classic Southern pecan pie to creative pumpkin blondies, Salon's food writers have shared their most beloved recipes to sweeten your holiday season.

From Salon

Pumpkin and pecan pie are both custards in my book and they should be baked at a lower temperature to gently and evenly coagulate the eggs.

From Salon

They were then given lots of their favourite foods - pumpkin seeds, pecans and walnuts.

From BBC

Georgia produces more than a third of the nation's pecans, and some growers have lost all of their trees.

From Salon

In 2009, the duo reintroduced one of its classic flavor — butter pecan — as “Yes Pecan!”

From Salon