noun

hickory

HIH-kuh-ree

Hickory (noun) means a hardwood tree of the genus Carya, valued for its wood and, in some species, its edible nuts. Example: “The old barn was framed with sturdy hickory beams.”

noun

A hardwood tree of the genus Carya, valued for its wood and, in some species, its edible nuts.

"The old barn was framed with sturdy hickory beams."

The wood of this tree.

"Hickory is a popular wood for smoking meat because of its strong flavor."

How to use hickory

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA tough North American hardwood tree, and the wood it produces, often linked with pecans and smoky barbecue flavor.

Common pairings

hickory wood hickory-smoked

Word forms

hickories plural

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The old barn was framed with sturdy _____ beams.

Etymology

A shortened form of "pohickery," itself from the Powhatan word "pawcohiccora."

Synonyms

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hickory tree

Rhymes for hickory

Cory Tory gory dory Rory ivory glory story Amory Emory theory memory

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Frequently asked questions

What does “hickory” mean?

The word “hickory” means a hardwood tree of the genus Carya, valued for its wood and, in some species, its edible nuts. In plain terms, a tough North American hardwood tree, and the wood it produces, often linked with pecans and smoky barbecue flavor.

How do you pronounce “hickory”?

“Hickory” is pronounced HIH-kuh-ree (/ˈhɪkəɹiː/ in IPA).

How do you use “hickory” in a sentence?

Here is “hickory” used in a sentence: “The old barn was framed with sturdy hickory beams.”

What part of speech is “hickory”?

“Hickory” is a noun.

How many meanings does “hickory” have?

“Hickory” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a hardwood tree of the genus Carya, valued for its wood and, in some species, its edible nuts.