almond

noun

al·​mond ˈä-mənd  ˈa-  ˈäl- 

ˈal-

1

a

: the drupaceous fruit of a small tree (Prunus dulcis synonym P. amygdalus) of the rose family with flowers and young fruit resembling those of the peach

especially : its ellipsoidal edible kernel used as a nut

b

: any of several similar fruits

2

: a tree that produces almonds

Illustration of almond

• almond 1a

Did you know?

This nut is seed of a tree in the rose family, native to Southwest Asia. The tree grows somewhat larger and lives longer than the peach. It is strikingly beautiful when in flower. The nuts are either sweet or bitter. Sweet almonds are the edible type consumed as nuts and used in cooking. The extracted oil of bitter almonds is used to make flavoring extracts for foods and liqueurs. Almonds provide small amounts of protein, iron, calcium, phosphorus, and B vitamins, and are high in fat.

Examples of almond in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Smoky mezcal and amaro, counterbalanced with sweet almond on the back of the tongue. — Amanda Lee Koe, Los Angeles Times, 14 Oct. 2026

Served on Vista Alegre porcelain, recent dishes from Tap’s Local Stars program have included sautéed prawns with strawberry gazpacho, roasted cod in pil-pil sauce, veal terrine, and Dom Rodrigo, an Algarve dessert made with egg yolks and almonds. — Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 12 Oct. 2026

Owned by the Tasca D’Almerita family since 1830, the area is planted with wheat, grain, olive trees, and almond trees in addition to native and international grape varieties. — Mike Desimone, Robb Report, 11 Oct. 2026

Vanilla Bouclé offers a similar sensual scent experience, this time leaning more into the sweetness of gourmands and woody notes like white almond, coconut milk, sandalwood and chamomile. — ABC News, 9 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English almande, from Anglo-French alemande from Late Latin amandula, alteration of Latin amygdala, from Greek amygdalē

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing almond

• almond/cashew butter
• almond-eyed
• almond milk
• bitter almond
• Jordan almond

Kids Definition

almond

noun

al·​mond ˈäm-ənd  ˈam- 

ˈäl-mənd, 

ˈal-

: a small tree related to the roses and having flowers like those of a peach tree

also : the edible kernel of its fruit used as a nut

Medical Definition

almond

noun

al·​mond ˈäm-ənd  ˈam-; ˈäl-mənd  ˈal- 

1

: a small tree (Prunus amygdalus) of the rose family with flowers and young fruit resembling those of the peach

2

: the drupaceous fruit of the almond

especially : its ellipsoidal edible kernel used as a nut compare amygdalin