pecan
Pecan (noun) means a tree native to the southern United States (Carya illinoinensis) that produces smooth, thin-shelled edible nuts. Example: “The old pecan tree in the yard drops nuts every autumn.”
How to use pecan
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe buttery, oval nut used in pies and baking, or the tree it grows on.
Pronunciation varies widely — some say "PEE-can", others "puh-KAHN" — with no single "correct" version even within the US.
Word forms
pecans plural
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The old _____ tree in the yard drops nuts every autumn.
Etymology
Borrowed from French pacane, itself from an Algonquian word for a hard-shelled nut.
Synonyms
View more →Frequently asked questions
What does “pecan” mean?
The word “pecan” means a tree native to the southern United States (Carya illinoinensis) that produces smooth, thin-shelled edible nuts. In plain terms, the buttery, oval nut used in pies and baking, or the tree it grows on.
How do you pronounce “pecan”?
“Pecan” is pronounced pih-KAHN (/piːˈkæn/ in IPA).
How do you use “pecan” in a sentence?
Here is “pecan” used in a sentence: “The old pecan tree in the yard drops nuts every autumn.”
What part of speech is “pecan”?
“Pecan” is a noun.
Where does the word “pecan” come from?
The word “pecan” comes from French. Borrowed from French pacane, itself from an Algonquian word for a hard-shelled nut.
How many meanings does “pecan” have?
“Pecan” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a tree native to the southern United States (Carya illinoinensis) that produces smooth, thin-shelled edible nuts.