walnut

noun

wal·​nut ˈwȯl-(ˌ)nət How to pronounce walnut (audio)
1
a
: the furrowed nut of any of a genus (Juglans of the family Juglandaceae, the walnut family) of deciduous trees
especially : the large edible nut of an English walnut
b
: a tree that bears walnuts
c
: the wood of a walnut that is often used for cabinetmaking and veneers
2
: a moderate reddish brown

Examples of walnut in a Sentence

The banana bread has walnuts in it. The recipe calls for a cup of chopped walnuts. a table made of walnut
Recent Examples on the Web Anderson-Haynes said other types of seafood and fish, seaweed, walnuts, flax seeds, or chia seeds are good dietary sources of omega-3s. Stephanie Brown, Verywell Health, 5 Mar. 2024 Begin with a 10-Year-Old Tawny Port for its delicate nuttiness and mellow notes of butterscotch, walnut, and chocolate. Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 13 Feb. 2024 American Leather has introduced a sizable walnut furniture collection and launched a walnut-tree-planting initiative to help rebuild diminishing American forests. Vicki Payne, Charlotte Observer, 31 Jan. 2024 Pricing & Availability: The Pro-Ject Juke Box E1 is available now in black, white, red and walnut finishes. Mark Sparrow, Forbes, 22 Feb. 2024 The combination of fresh, crisp greens and sweet walnuts and dressing make this a delightfully cozy salad and a perfect way to start meals and gatherings of any size. Sunset Magazine, 20 Feb. 2024 Researchers looked at 168 patients ages 1 to 55 who were allergic to peanuts and at least two other food allergens, including milk, egg, wheat, cashew, hazelnut and walnut, according to the FDA. Amanda Musa, CNN, 16 Feb. 2024 And something about the pairing of a piece of Maine halibut with walnut vinaigrette and cranberry compote feels quintessentially New England. Todd Plummer, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 Feb. 2024 Spread 1/2 cup chopped walnuts in the center of the sheet in a single layer. Debbie Moose, Charlotte Observer, 31 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'walnut.' 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

Middle English walnot, from Old English wealhhnutu, literally, foreign nut, from Wealh Welshman, foreigner + hnutu nut — more at welsh, nut

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of walnut was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near walnut

Cite this Entry

“Walnut.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/walnut. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

walnut

noun
wal·​nut ˈwȯl-(ˌ)nət How to pronounce walnut (audio)
1
a
: an edible nut of any of a genus of trees related to the hickories
especially : the large nut of a Eurasian tree
b
: a tree that produces walnuts compare black walnut
c
: the usually reddish to dark brown wood of a walnut that is widely used for cabinetwork and veneers
2
: a medium reddish brown
Etymology

Old English wealhhnutu, literally "foreign nut," from Wealh "Welshman, foreigner" + hnutu "nut" — related to welsh

Word Origin
Long before walnut trees were introduced into England, they were cultivated for their tasty nuts in southern Europe. The nut tree native to the more northern areas of Europe was the hazel. In order to tell apart the native hazelnut and the less familiar walnut, Old English called the walnut wealhhnutu, which means "foreign nut." This word is a compound of wealh, "foreigner" and hnutu "nut." The Old English word wealh has supplied us with another word as well. While wealh meant "foreigner" in a general sense, it was applied specifically by the Anglo-Saxon invaders of Britain to the native people they found living on the island. Wealh gave rise to the modern forms Welsh, Welshman, and Welshwoman.

Geographical Definition

Walnut

geographical name

city east of Los Angeles in southwestern California population 29,172

More from Merriam-Webster on walnut

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