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

Five were on a plastic container with packs of almonds. —David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 31 Oct. 2025

The silhouette featured an almond toe and stacked block heel, while the shaft made a unique statement with cinching at the ankle, a general looseness up the leg and then a lace threaded through the circumference about three-quarters of the way up, knotted in a bow as a dainty embellishment. —Jaden Thompson, Footwear News, 30 Oct. 2025

For the event, Bieber retained her preferred nail shape, a medium-long almond, but swapped the creamier texture of her mani oeuvre in favor of a nearly translucent nail, with a frosty wash of the most delicate color where a white French tip would typically be. —Kara Nesvig, Allure, 30 Oct. 2025

The total output of almonds throughout California is expected to increase this year, according to a recent USDA report, despite concerns from growers about beehive theft and a honeybee shortage in the late winter and spring. —Jake Goodrick, Sacbee.com, 30 Oct. 2025

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-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