éclair

noun

ē-ˈkler How to pronounce éclair (audio) ā- How to pronounce éclair (audio)
e-,
ə-;
ˈē-ˌkler How to pronounce éclair (audio)
ˈā-,
ˈe-
: a usually chocolate-frosted oblong pastry filled with whipped cream or custard

Examples of éclair in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web How to make eclair cake Don’t overlap the graham crackers. Robin Miller, The Arizona Republic, 14 Mar. 2024 While Villa Bakery gets the doughnuts, eclairs, and cake portions already made, they are finished at the bakery with icing, cream fillings, and decorated. Detroit Free Press, 19 Jan. 2024 Get The Recipe 13 of 75 Chocolate Éclair Cake A cake that's just as worthy of celebration as the classic eclair, this chocolate confection is stunning, simple, and worth the extra effort. Southern Living Editors, Southern Living, 15 Feb. 2024 Doughnuts and eclairs with Lions colors range from $2 to $2.75 each. Detroit Free Press, 19 Jan. 2024 Pastry options include its lemon madeleines, chocolate tarts and eclairs. Jenna Thompson, Kansas City Star, 19 Jan. 2024 Put the eclair cake back in the fridge to fully chill for at least eight hours. Molly Allen, Southern Living, 9 Nov. 2023 This bag of goodies contains an assortment of toffees and chocolate eclairs made with whole milk and butter, including classic English toffee, versions covered in milk or dark chocolate, and a banana split toffee that tastes remarkably like a real banana split. Belle Duchene, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Aug. 2023 Meetinghouse receptions feature streamers dangling from basketball hoops, kids darting down carpet-walled hallways, and diners nibbling on butter mints and half-frozen eclairs. The Salt Lake Tribune, 6 Aug. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'éclair.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

French, literally, lightning

First Known Use

1861, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of éclair was in 1861

Dictionary Entries Near éclair

Cite this Entry

“éclair.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/%C3%A9clair. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

éclair

noun
ā-ˈkla(ə)r How to pronounce éclair (audio) i- How to pronounce éclair (audio)
-ˈkle(ə)r;
ˈā-ˌkla(ə)r,
-ˌkle(ə)r,
ˈē-
: an oblong pastry with whipped cream or custard filling
Etymology

French, literally, "lightning"

Word Origin
The English word éclair comes directly from a French word whose chief meaning is "lightning" or "flash of lightning." No one is sure why a pastry was named after lightning. Some say the lightness of the cream puff and its soft filling is the reason for the name. Perhaps more likely its richness and oblong shape, easily held in one hand, compel a person to eat it in a flash.
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